Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services is coming to Wallaceburg on Thursday to share information about some of the housing opportunities they have available.
“We purchased the 770 Wallace St. units and are presently renovating them,” said Cathy Conner, program delivery manager for Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. “We also offer $30,000 to people who need down payments for home ownership and $25,000 for home repairs.”
The organization will be at the Wallaceburg Municipal Centre at 786 Dufferin Ave. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 11.
Conner said they want to make people aware that low to moderate income families can get help to purchase a home or to do repairs to their existing home.
“In addition to that, we are renovating property at 770 Wallace Street in Wallaceburg. We are going to be using that time as well to collect name for anybody who might be interested in renting once we have completed the renovation.”
Conner said anyone is welcome to attend the information session.
“The easiest way to explain it is to say anyone who is self identified as a First Nation, Métis or Inuit person can apply for the home ownership and home repair program. They should absolutely come out and check it out. Anyone at all who is interested in placing their name on our central application registry for affordable housing is welcome to attend. Whether they be native or not.
Conner added: “Anybody in general who knows somebody who may be interested in our program and just wants to be able to gather information for a friend or family is welcome to come out as well is welcome to pick up applications and help spread the word.”
Conner said a full team from Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services will be on hand to answer people’s questions.
“We are a not-for-profit housing corporation and our mandate is to provide safe affordable housing and we do that through various method of programs. One is our repair program, another one is assisted home ownership and another is through our rental program where we either build or renovate existing properties through direct development, which we property manage ourselves and than put out there as affordable rent. We also provide funding to any other not-for-profit housing corporations that apply for funding to be able to build or renovate their own existing.”
Conner said they are busy doing some major renovations at 770 Wallace St.
“There are 19 units there right now. There are approximately four existing tenants there. We will be renovating the entire complex and creating jobs for the area during the renovations. Hopefully if everything goes well, within six months we should be ready for occupancy. There are 19 structurally sound units, we just want to make sure the efficiency is there.
She added: “Our services are always set up so that utilities are set up in your basic rent. That’s always good for tenants so they don’t have to struggle with hydro bills or water bills, electric bills on top of paying their rent.”
Conner said they are excited to start provided housing in Wallaceburg.
“It’s a beautiful town, it is one of my favourite places to visit. We build all over Ontario, except for the greater Toronto area and I would say Wallaceburg is one of the cutest little cities to be in and everybody there is so friendly and helpful. We are very pleased to help the community.”
