Thunder Bay grants record number of building permits

The City of Thunder Bay has issued a record number of building permits in 2024, setting the stage for a year of intense construction.

In total, 330 building permits were issued by the City in 2024, compared to 310 the previous year.

According to the City of Thunder Bay’s project manager for the housing accelerator program, Summer Stevenson, it is a question of finding ways and means to build more housing.

This involves getting more housing projects started by adding incentives and subsidies or even through zoning changes.she emphasizes.

Ms Stevenson believes that if all projects that have received funding through the Accelerating Housing Fund go ahead, that figure will be around 400 by 2025.

We can’t wait to get these projects started.

Last February, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited this northwestern Ontario city to announce that it would receive $20.7 million under the Accelerated Housing Fund.

This money is intended to accelerate the development of more than 600 new homes. The goal is to reach a total of 1,691 new homes by February 2027.

Great needs

Like the rest of the country, Thunder Bay has been hit hard by the housing crisis.

At least 550 people are estimated to be homeless in the city, approximately 78% of whom are indigenous.

At the same time, according to members of the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board (CASSDTB) the waiting list for social housing has never been so long in five years, with just under 1,400 people.

The council is seeking to address the housing issue at all levels.

In November, it funded 40 additional emergency shelter spaces.

Last week, he announced more than $8.3 million in provincial funding to support 66 transitional housing units in the city.

These funds come from the Homelessness Prevention Program.

People are much more able to find housing when they leave these programs explains the head of the housing and fight against homelessness program at CASSDTBAaron Park.

They acquire the skills necessary to live independently. Some never had these skills or others lost them because they were homeless for a long time. It’s really exciting to seehe adds.

City grants to accelerate housing construction are available to homeowners, builders and nonprofit organizations.

So far, homeowners have applied for grants the most, to build houses in their backyards and apartments in basements.

There are many people in the community who are enthusiastic and want to help solve our housing crisissays Summer Stevenson.

With information from Sarah Law