MEDIA RELEASE

TBDSSAB Celebrates New Accessible Housing at McIvor Court through Ontario Priority Housing Initiative funding

 

February 26, 2021 – The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) was joined by Provincial and Federal representatives to celebrate the opening of six new accessible housing units in the city of Thunder Bay.

Unused commercial space at McIvor Court on Lincoln Street in Thunder Bay has been converted into six wheelchair-accessible, ground-level residential apartments for individuals with disabilities. Construction began in February 2020, and the units were approved for occupancy in fall 2020. Five of the six units have already been leased, with one unit still available.

Each fully accessible unit comes equipped with automatic doors, accessible storage, tiled bathrooms with roll-in shower, and custom-designed kitchens complete with appliances chosen for accessibility features. Space in the open-concept foyer has also been designated as a scooter parking and charging area, with new front-loading washing machines installed in the shared laundry facilities. Located in an existing 60+ building, these units and the facility updates are a welcome addition to the older-adults property.

The new accessible units at McIvor Court were funded by joint provincial and federal funding through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative, via the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The OPHI contribution was $750,000, with TBDSSAB contributing the remaining $250,000.

Making the announcement this afternoon were TBDSSAB Chair Lucy Kloosterhuis and Marcus Powlowski, MP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for CMHC. The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, provided a celebratory statement to mark the occasion.

“We saw an opportunity to convert unused space in our residential building to accommodate individuals needing accessible housing, and we are so grateful to the Ontario Priority Housing Initiative for making this possible,” says Lucy Kloosterhuis, Board Chair, TBDSSAB.

“It is rewarding to see the positive impact that these new accessible apartments have already had for the tenants,” says Bill Bradica, CAO, TBDSSAB. “There is a real appreciation for the attention to detail that makes the design accessible as well as welcoming.”

The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) is the service system manager for Community Housing and the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative for the District of Thunder Bay. Visit the TBDSSAB website for more information at www.tbdssab.ca

The Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) is a Canada-Ontario partnership to expand the availability of Affordable Housing. For more information on affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.ontario.ca/affordablehousing

 

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Media Release: TBDSSAB Celebrates New Accessible Housing at McIvor Court through Ontario Priority Housing Initiative funding (PDF, 140kb)