Sioux Lookout has started down a path of tackling affordable housing challenges in the community and across the region.
The municipality will start working with private and public partners to act on a final report from a three day housing Summit held in June.
Mayor Doug Lawrance says there is a high need for affordable and attainable housing in his community related to employment, health, education and the out-migration from remote First Nations communities.
He says the next step is to facilitate opportunities and connect the dots, stating they have available land to take advantage of huge opportunities.
Lawrance says it’s not a localized problem, noting a recent report stated that 2,000 refugees had overtaxed Toronto’s ability to house people.
However, he says based on a per capita basis Sioux Lookout’s situation is 25 times the scope of the City of Toronto.
Lawrance stresses they would welcome immediate attention and support from the provincial and federal governments.
He says one of the biggest needs in Sioux Lookout comes in the rental market.
