PHARA Community Services Continues Fight One Year Later to Save Massey

One year ago in March of 2025, PHARA Community Services launched the "SAVE MASSEY - Everyone and Every-Body Deserves a Home" campaign. The goal of the campaign has been to raise the $7.9 million needed to properly repair the 48 units at 122 Massey Dive where families live. Over the course of the year, PHARA has reached out to the community, partners, and all levels of government to secure funding. While community response has been positive, the amount of money needed has not come forward and discussions with partners have all pointed to short-term solutions or continue on without conclusion.

“These short-term solutions are unfortunately, just that; short-term. They require a continuous outpouring of funds to shore things up while never actually solving the problems,” said Mike Van der Vlist, CEO of PHARA Community Services.

PHARA has indicated that in their conversations with city officials, it has been made clear that temporary shoring is not a viable solution, and it will require significant resources to ensure constant inspections are performed in order to determine the safety of the units.

Van der Vlist explained that “We can’t leave people in a state of limbo. Tenants are facing constant disruptions from ongoing inspections, and eviction notices.  This is not how PHARA believes we should treat people, and it is not a responsible way to operate as it is financially unsustainable. Our families need answers.”

At the moment, permanent building repair plans have remained on hold since the spring of 2025 due to a lack of available funding. Leaders in the community such as Vic Fideli have brought hope by speaking about options available through organizations in our community.  

“We have had discussions with organizations such as the DNSSAB, and other organizations, and yet we wait, and wait.” said Van der Vlist. “We will continue our discussion to save 122 Massey, but time has passed and with temporary fixes being only temporary, we are now exploring new strategic opportunities to ensure there is safe and secure affordable housing for people. PHARA has an incredible asset at 122 Massey and we will find ways to leverage that asset for the good of the community.”

While the existing plan to Save Massey is still on the table and still remains the most economically viable option to maintain housing in our community, time is running out on that strategy. As an alternative plan, PHARA has begun to explore secondary options for the site which includes a completely new build on the property.

“Building practices, designs, and codes have come a long way in the past 30 years. We are looking at how we can utilize the land to provide up-to-date units that meet 21st century design, while also dreaming big and looking at increasing the number of units from 48 to 100 or more,” Van der Vlist explained. “PHARA has a proven track record for being responsible and accountable stewards of local housing, and if we can’t go after funding to maintain the existing units, we will work tirelessly to find partners who will help us build a new and expanded housing footprint.”

Benefits to using the property at 122 Massey as a completely redesigned housing solution are many, including the property is already located near important amenities and services, is zoned for the use, and PHARA already owns the land. The early stage discussions for this type of development are focused on filling the housing waitlist gap for one bedroom, two bedroom, and accessible units.

In a 2024 Housing Targets report from the DNSSAB, it was found that through the incorporation of household income decile data and affordability levels for housing targets, the study’s housing targets would recommend an increased investment in new Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) and affordable rental units. It was made clear in the report that the targets for new units represents a considerable increase from existing stock and that the units could include both those managed by the DNSSAB and other non-profit agencies, such as PHARA.

“We recognize that housing is at the top of all news stories, but it is no longer the time for stories, it is time for actions. We must ensure that non-profit charities continue to provide affordable housing,” shared Mike Van der Vlist. “It almost seems when you look at what is happening across the province is the death of local non-profit organizations being properly supported to provide affordable housing. We must keep the heartbeat of non-profit housing alive with local organizations. We must keep 122 Massey alive. We have been ready to save Massey, and we are ready to come to the table with a new strategy and to dream big if it cannot be saved.”

PHARA Community Services is an accredited, award-winning, and partnership-focused non-profit organization that provides health and housing services across North Bay and surrounding communities. PHARA has deep roots in this area that are borne from more than half a century of service to thousands upon thousands of individuals and families, public advocacy, and standing fast when a storm breaks.

You can learn more about PHARA Community Services at www.phara.org.

An overhead view of many of the buildings that make up the location at 122 Massey Drive in North Bay. Each building is currently in being regularly inspected for structural condition and shoring needs. PHARA Community Services operates the units and works towards a permanent long-term solution that meets the needs of the community.