Imagine a single program that creates meaningful employment opportunities, revitalizes derelict properties, and makes homeownership a possibility for local low-income families. It exists in downtown Sault Ste. Marie thanks to the Affordable Home Ownership Program (AHOP), an innovative partnership between the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB).  

Sault Ste. Marie is the third-largest city in Northern Ontario, with a population of 72,000. It is experiencing a high level of housing pressure and a growing wait for social housing despite its comparatively affordable homes. At the same time, there are many abandoned properties downtown, which contribute to lower property values and raise concerns about safety among neighbours. More recently, the city’s economy has also suffered in the wake of U.S. tariffs on the steel industry, which have resulted in widespread layoffs and unemployment despite investments (from both the private sector and the federal government) aimed at shoring up the sector.  

AHOP was created to address all three issues simultaneously by creatively integrating existing programs and funds. DSSAB started by mapping out vacant lots downtown. Next, using one-time funding from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, it purchased a small number of initial sites through its housing corporation, then redeveloped them into new low-cost housing. To keep building costs low, the program worked with participants in the Building Maintenance & Construction Program (BMC) – a hands-on construction training program – to construct the new houses. Once complete, homes were sold at below-market rates to low-income families, with particular emphasis on social housing residents who were employed but unable to afford a downpayment. DSSAB partnered with the local credit union to provide up to 50% of a property’s value as equity toward a loan for the downpayment.  

After the first round of purchases, the system has continued in a self-perpetuating cycle: social housing units are freed up for people experiencing deeper levels of housing need, and the proceeds from the home sales, combined with funding from the Federal Housing Accelerator Fund for more complex adaptive reuse projects, fund further acquisitions and construction.  

Bringing on BMC students and construction partners like the Sault Ste. Marie Construction Association not only allows the Housing Corporation to save on labour costs, but offers participants hands-on work experience, a college credential, and a direct path into apprenticeship in the skilled trades. The teams also perform minor improvements to surrounding properties (like new fences), which increase community support of the program.  

    Since its launch in February 2020 – and after a disruption during the COVID-19 lockdowns – the program has completed five homes, with three more properties under construction. Demand is high, and DSSAB continues looking for ways to help more local families become ready to buy, such as – with additional funding – through longer-term credit counselling and debt management. More sustained and flexible funding could also amplify the scale of site acquisition, facilitating block-level planning in areas where there are many vacant properties.     By pulling together programs that are often siloed and sharing resources internally, AHOP and BMC have already had a wide impact. Since 2021, over 200 graduates have found employment, several derelict properties have found new life, and a growing number of families have been able to take steps into homeownership.