Planning is underway to transform a chunk of vacant land off Confederation Street in Sarnia into affordable housing for Indigenous people.
The Ontario Aboriginal Housing Corporation (OAHC) wants to build 40 affordable units with a mix of one, two and three bedrooms on the former Lambton Shrine Club property, near Indian Road.
OAHC Director of Housing Development Cathy Connor said construction is scheduled to start later this year.
"(It should start in) September 2022 should all of the pre-development planning proceed as anticipated," Connor said in an email to Sarnia News Today.
The corporation is also partnering with the Sarnia-Lambton Native Friendship Centre to provide supportive services for its tenants.
"The Indigenous friendship centre will be housed on the main floor of the building and will still offer the same great services they always have to the Sarnia community."
Connor said the development will provide safe, affordable housing for urban Indigenous people living in Sarnia.
The Inn of the Good Shepherd originally acquired the property to build a shelter in the old Shrine building, but realized it was cheaper to construct a new building for its Good Shepherds Lodge.
The lodge opened in 2010 and the Shrine Club was demolished in 2018.
The County of Lambton purchased the land in 2019, reimbursed the Inn the demolition and legal cost, and donated the property to OAHC.
