Elizabeth Frazer (L) poses for a picture with Nipissing MPP Monique Smith, and Trillium Foundation board member Ed Eng. Photo by Phil Novak. __________________________________________________________
Elizabeth Frazer says she wants the city to “get onboard” and support her organization’s work rather than questioning it.
Frazer, the chairwoman of the Community Housing Action Group, made the remark after accepting a $40,000 grant Friday from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The grant will help CHAG hire a project coordinator.
CHAG’s mandate is to purchase city homes in need of facelifts—renovations will be done by CHAG volunteers—and allow low income renters to take over the mortgage eventually through a rent to own plan.
Mortgage commitments have already been secured from two financial institutes in North Bay, and CHAG hopes to have its first home ready by the end of next year.
But, Frazer said, she’s heard “discouraging” criticism from at least one municipal politician, whose name was not revealed, that CHAG had nothing to show for its almost three years of work thus far.
Frazer admits part of the problem might be that CHAG hasn’t publicized its work as much as it could have.
That aside, she said, “if your not part of the solution you’re part of the problem.”
North Bay has an affordable housing shortage, Frazer said, “and this grassroots organization is working hard” to address the need in the community.
“So what I want to hear from elected officials is support, ‘yes you’re doing a great job, and how can we help.’ We’ve had some great support provincially and federally so the challenge is to the municipality, to get on board."
Nipissing MPP Monique Smith, who, with local Trillium Foundation board member Ed Eng, presented the cheque to CHAG, called the organization’s work “commendable.”
“Before they throw themselves into a big project, they do all of the groundwork,” Smith said.
