than the rest of Ontario. The out-migration
of young people from this region is only
exacerbating this dilemma.
The CDSSAB was formed in 1999 to de-
liver government-funded social services,
such as OntarioWorks, children's services,
emergency medical services and housing,
to various municipalities within the Co-
chrane District. With an operating budget
of about $63 million annually, the CDSSAB
delivers services from seven offices and
a series of ambulance bases throughout
the district. It is the biggest landlord in the
area too, which is why it was able to see
the gaps in housing infrastructure.
Two years ago, the CDSSAB carried out
a series of public consultations in all the
communities it serves in order to de-
velop a 10-year housing plan. One of the
key pieces of information obtained was
the significant need for senior supportive
housing. The main drivers here were se-
niors who did not want to leave Northern
Ontario, but could no longer live on their
own. There was a gap in rental housing
that fit the needs of the aging population,
DECEMBER 2016
H
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