The Kenora District Services Board is concerned with the timelines they need to meet to take advantage of funding from a new provincial social housing program.
Chair Barry Baltessen says the deadline to submit an application is May 19th and all money secured to make housing upgrades must be spent by March, 2018.
Baltessen says the program is inconvenient for northern Ontario to work through the process and meet the needs of contractors during a short construction season.
Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says the province makes the assumption that partnerships are already in place and municipalities would be willing to borrow money to proceed.
Wall notes he’s pleased the government is out with extra cash for housing but notes this method is very restrictive.
The KDSB is still hopeful they can find two projects that will fit the criteria, stressing they don’t want to leave money for housing on the table.
