PHARA fundraising to save West Ferris Affordable Housing Complex
It’s been a good news-bad news week for affordable housing in the city.
A day after a new cohabitation complex was officially opened downtown, there’s word a West Ferris complex is in danger of being lost.
PHARA is launching a fundraising campaign for the immediate structural rebuild of 48 units at 122 Massey Drive.
The “Save Massey – Everyone and Every-Body Deserves a Home” campaign is seeking $7.9 million.
“A lot of the concerns are structural in the building envelope. There are also key infrastructure needs that we need to address,” says Mike Van der Vlist, PHARA CEO. “PHARA has based this on the work by engineers, architects and building condition assessments.”
He says a temporary fix has been rolled out but a structural rebuild is needed.
Van der Vlist says $1.2 million has been raised, so far, thanks in part to Ontario Health and the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB).
“I believe we can have a happy ending,” he says. “I believe we can find a hero through this community, through the municipal, the provincial and federal governments. I believe it will be a happy ending because that hero will come forward.”
Van der Vlist adds they’re waiting to hear from everyone, noting it won’t just be one person or group that will help make the housing community last for generations.
The complex provides rental options including Rent-Geared-to-Income subsidized rent, market rent, and has numerous units designated for assisted living services.
Donations are being accepted at www.phara.org
PHARA says without investment, the community stands to lose the units.
On Wednesday, the DNSSAB and Canadore College officially cut the ribbon to open a 61-unit cohabitation complex for older adults in the former health unit building on Commercial Street.
DNSSAB says the wait list for affordable housing in our region is over 1,500.