DRYDEN — A new four-dozen unit development will help with a housing shortage in the Dryden area, says the head of the organization behind the project.
The 48-unit housing build on Duke Street in Dryden is nearing completion and Jacob Dockstator, the executive director of the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord Economic Development Corporation, says they’re expecting occupancy to begin in October or November.
“It's going to be addressing the … housing shortages in Dryden,” Dockstator said. “And also looking to the future with the (Nuclear Waste Management Organization) coming to the region, there's going to be a lot of growth, so we want to be able to realize on that as well.”
The economic development corporation is jointly owned by four area First Nations — Lac Seul, Cat Lake, Slate Falls and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.
Housing, he said, is a priority for the leadership of the development corporation’s member First Nations.
“Housing is definitely a concern for the chiefs in the communities,” Dockstator said. “Housing is something that they understand very well, it being always in need in the communities, but also something that's needed in the area, generally.”
He said that this is the first such project the friendship accord has undertaken.
“(We were) looking at where we could have a successful economic project and one that doesn't require a great deal of ongoing management,” he said. “We have a management company in there for the day-to-day operation (of) the building.”
“It’s something that's concrete, that they can show that they're contributing back into the communities, basically.”
The building has some designated affordable units in it, Dockstator said, but also has units at market rates as well. The organization has set up a dedicated website where people interested in the project can sign up for more information.
He said he feels the project has already been successful.
“It's been incredible seeing it come together over the last year,” Dockstator said. “It was such a push to get things sorted out because we’re working with so many different entities and everyone worked very well together.”
“It's been an absolute, labour of love, I guess you could say, in terms of bringing this project to reality and to fruition.”
Dockstator said the organization plans to undertake a similar project in Sioux Lookout next, hopefully starting in the next year or so.
“It's a different market than Dryden, it being a little bit further north,” he said. “There's other challenges you have to work through there as well, but we have our sights on a new development plan for an apartment building there as well.”
