The Dryden Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation is no more.
Operation of the 66 affordable housing units at 10 separate buildings has been handed over to the Kenora District Services Board.
KDSB Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says there’s a significant amount of savings as a result of the deal.
“We don’t have to do two audits. We don’t need to have multiple insurance policies. The operational savings in this is going to help address the capital deficit that Dryden Non-Profit currently has.”
Wall stresses the move makes sense as Dryden wasn’t making money in the housing business and municipal taxpayers are respected by the pooling of resources.
He notes the transfer of service also means the municipality won’t always be at the mercy of provincial and federal funding to operate the housing units.
Wall notes current tenants will see improvements to existing services and he stresses communication will be provided to ensure a seamless transition.
He adds the transfer “is going to give them direct access to KDSB’s financial support and social assistance programs. Not only are the rents going to be maintained the way they are in terms of being affordable but it also gives the families access to all of the programs the KDSB has as well.”
Wall adds this will help protect the financial viability of local housing and allow the KDSB to undertake much needed capital repairs.
“We are actually going to make life better for the families in these housing units. The goal, right from the get go, community housing’s intent was to give families a leg up so that they can long term be self-sufficient, self-sustainable and be able to afford their own housing.”
He notes the move is part of their long term affordable housing plan.
Dryden Chief Administrative Officer Roger Nesbitt says “The transfer of the DMNPHC to the KDSB is a positive direction concerning housing within the community. Protecting, maintaining and developing new community housing within the City of Dryden is vital to our communities prosperity.”
To hear the full interview with Henry Wall, visit the Audio link below.
