Interest is extremely high as a new Indigenous affordable housing complex in Sarnia is soon set to welcome tenants.
The $18-million, 36 thousand square foot facility is located at 940 Confederation Street, next to the Good Shepherd's Lodge.
It's a five-storey building with 42 units, located on land that was donated by the County of Lambton, and will also offer programming through the Sarnia-Lambton Native Friendship Centre.
It's one of 2,700 buildings across the province that's owned and managed by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services.
Senior Director of Property Management Rob Hargin said things have gone smoothly since ground was broken in the spring of 2024.
"Culture for us is super important, "said Hargin. "The goal for us is to offer affordable housing with some supports through our partners. We want to take care of the people who are in need and are the most vulnerable. The building was built with things like natural wood, different window styles, and trying to take culture and implement that into the design."
Hargin said there's been tonnes of interest, and there's a long wait list to get in.
"It's been great to see all of the people and be able to answer their questions," he said. "It shows such a need in the community and we're excited to be here in the Sarnia area as we move right across Ontario. Having a bit of a repository of people who are waiting helps us when we're looking at where we're developing. We look at the wait lists and see where the most need is."
Zoning amendments were approved for the site in 2022, however the development was scaled back from its original plans due to rising costs.
The rent is $888 per month, plus utilities, for a one bedroom unit or $1,236 plus utilities for a three bedroom.
That's based on 80 per cent of the market level in the Sarnia-Lambton region.
Tenants are officially being welcomed in as of February 1.
