The ribbon has been cut on a project officials say is an innovative solution to addressing affordable housing needs in North Bay.
The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) and Canadore College are partnering on a cohabitation tenancy building at 681 Commercial Street.
Mark King, DNSSAB chair says it provides much-needed affordable housing solutions for older adults through innovative living arrangements.
“This provides an option now. It’s actually huge,” he says. “It’ll deal with our waitlist. Our waitlist was sitting at 1,543 people and it’ll start to whittle away at it.”
Two people will share a two-bedroom apartment, each with their own room while sharing common areas.
In late January, officials said 39 of the 61 units in the former health unit building are ready for occupancy with an additional 22 units available starting in May.
“We do have people in this building,” says George Burton, Canadore President and CEO. “We do have some potential tenants touring [Wednesday]. I think you’ll see this fully operational to a level that we’re happy with in the fall of this year.”
The units are being incorporated into Canadore College’s Village model and will include a variety of health and wellness services.
“Some of the events are very basic things like getting groups of people together to share coffee so they’re engaged together,” says Burton. “We’re doing technology sessions.”
Canadian Shield will be providing health services on side.
Students and staff will also be living there too.
Burton says they’ve been working on the project for almost three years.
He’s hopeful it can be replicated across the province.
