PHARA Confident and Goes to Tender to SAVE MASSEY
With affordable housing as one of the top news stories across Canada and a part of the current election, PHARA Community Services (PHARA) remains confident and hopeful that saving the 48-unit affordable housing complex, at 122 Massey Drive, will be a priority for local, provincial, and federal governments.
To ensure the immediate structural and infrastructure needs at 122 Massey Drive are addressed, PHARA has reached out to all levels of government for support, is working with a network of community partners, and is continuing forwards with the fundraising campaign to "SAVE MASSEY".
With a target to raise $7.9 million for the 48-unit housing complex, PHARA is moving forward on the belief that the funding will be available and have moved to tender on April 8, 2025.
"We all know that the window for construction in North Bay is not large, so we need to begin this work as soon as possible," says Mike Van der Vlist, PHARA CEO. “We must do everything we can to keep individuals, families and children housed in our community.”
PHARA is a vocal advocate for increased development and investment into affordable housing in the North Bay region. They have been advocating for assistance for their properties and social housing long before the site-wide structural concerns were recognized at 122 Massey Drive.
Further, as a long-time provider of health services PHARA has recognized how housing plays a key role in the social determinants of health.
“PHARA's award-winning team provides health services directly to our assisted living residents at 122 Massey and throughout our community. Every day, the PHARA team provides top quality care in a cost-effective manner,” said Van der Vlist. “People matter to us. We know the importance of housing and PHARA will continue to fight for the individuals, families, and children to live in a world where everyone lives in their home, and where everyone lives their independent life.”
PHARA Community Services is an accredited, award winning, partnership-driven organization that has served our local area for more than 50 years. They recently received a 100% score from an independent third-party audit review for their assisted living health care services with results showing that they achieved a perfect score against the operating guidelines.
For more information about PHARA, including how to donate to support the campaign, please visit www.phara.org.
On April 4, 2025, MacKay Homes Community Fund provided PHARA with $5000 to help SAVE MASSEY. Craig Rodwell (right) is presenting Mike Van der Vlist (left) with a cheque towards the PHARA fundraising campaign. “This kindness is an act of caring that raises our spirits and drives us fight even harder for the families at Massey,” said Van der Vlist.