Family Celebrates New Home Through Affordable Housing Program

A local family has moved into a newly renovated home in downtown Sault Ste. Marie as part of the Affordable Home Ownership Program (AHOP), aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods and promoting home ownership. The Taylor family celebrated a key ceremony on March 15, 2024, marking their first night in the new residence on Andrew Street.

Danielle Taylor expressed her excitement about the move, stating, “I’m in shock and very excited for this new chapter.” She, along with her husband Justin and their three children, Jayden, Kaleb, and Kaylee, are transitioning from 14 years in geared-to-income housing. The children eagerly selected their new bedrooms, with Kaylee quickly claiming a room she liked for its closet space.

Impact of the Affordable Home Ownership Program

Both Danielle and Justin work as early childhood educators and have benefited from training programs offered by local Social Services. Danielle noted that the support from these programs has been instrumental in helping their family secure a permanent home. “I was really hoping one day that we would have a house that we could call home. You know, it’s a dream come true in my eyes,” she added.

The Affordable Home Ownership Program not only facilitates home ownership but also contributes to community development by renovating derelict properties. Participants in the program, including those receiving support from Ontario Works, receive training in construction and maintenance through the Building Maintenance and Construction program. According to Mike Nadeau, CEO of Social Services, this is the fifth home made available through AHOP.

“Recipients are not gifted a house,” Nadeau said. “They still need to qualify for the mortgage. It’s just at-cost or slightly below market cost; we’re not trying to make a profit off it.” The program aims to provide affordable housing while ensuring that families are financially viable.

Community Support and Future Developments

Since its inception, 174 individuals on Ontario Works and those receiving support through the Ontario Disability Support Program have completed the training program, with approximately 73 percent securing employment in the construction field. Nadeau highlighted the success of graduates, stating that they are engaged in various aspects of renovation work, although electrical and plumbing tasks are typically excluded.

Currently, a funding increase is being sought to expand the program’s reach. This could potentially raise the number of homes offered through AHOP from two annually to four or more. Community partnerships, such as with SalDan Construction Group and the Sault Community Career Centre, provide essential resources and instructors for the training program.

As interest in the program grows, municipalities like Timmins and North Bay are exploring the possibility of implementing similar initiatives. “They are having conversations about how it could be done,” Nadeau mentioned.

During the key ceremony, David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, praised the program’s role in addressing the housing crisis. “This is what it’s all about, solving our housing shortage and giving people a shot at a career with the skills they need,” he remarked.

With another single-family home across the street currently undergoing renovation, the Affordable Home Ownership Program is poised to continue making a significant impact in the community. This next property is expected to be available by summer 2024, further enriching the neighborhood and providing more families with the opportunity to own their homes.