TBDSSAB Donald St. Official Naming

TBDSSAB Officially Names Building in Honour of Mr. Allan Cox, Former Northwestern Regional Director of Housing for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

August 8, 2017 – Today, The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) officially named one of its new social housing 8-plex buildings in honour of Mr. Allan Cox, former Northwestern Regional Director of Housing at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH).

The ‘Allan B. Cox’ building was officially named with the hanging of a commemorative plaque and celebration of Mr. Cox’s extensive career in housing the vulnerable citizens of Northwestern Ontario.

TBDSSAB Board member, Iain Angus spoke at the official naming: “It seemed appropriate to name one of our new affordable housing buildings after Mr. Allan Cox.  He was indeed ‘Mr. Housing’ in Northern Ontario and thousands of individuals and families are housed today because of the work that he and his team initiated and completed since the early 70’s.”

Allan B. Cox was employed with the Ontario Housing Corporation and MMAH for over 30 years and served the Northwest Region from 1975 to 1999 including being Regional Program Housing Manager for all of Northern Ontario.  He also worked in the Sudbury office prior to being transferred to Thunder Bay.

TBDSSAB Board Chair, Bob Katajamaki said, “Mr. Cox oversaw the development of many of the social housing properties now owned by the TBDSSAB.  He helped develop and organize several provincial housing programs to create much needed affordable housing for low income individuals and also market tenants throughout Northwestern Ontario.”

His office set up non-profit housing groups in most every community in Northwestern Ontario to supply affordable housing in their communities; from Kenora/Keewatin and Rainy River in the West; Marathon and Manitouwadge in the East; Geraldton/Longlac in the North and a significant number in Thunder Bay.

Following retirement Mr. Cox became the Northern Advisor to the Social Housing Services Corporation, providing key supports to DSSAB’s and Housing Corporations across the North. He also provided housing consultancy services across the province.

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CONTACT: Ken Ranta, Director Housing Services, TBDSSAB 766-2103 or 766-2106