Due to the great demand to house the aging population in the area, we signed our Project Operating Agreement with Ontario Ministry of Housing on December 24, 1986. The project consists of 40 one bedroom and 20 two bedroom apartments in a three story apartment building; fully equipped with services not found elsewhere: sauna, exercise room, craft rooms, a library, common room with kitchen facilities and a garden area for tenants to plant vegetables and/or flowers.
In the beginning, funding was provided by both Federal (60%) and Ontario Governments (40%). Since 2001, we have been governed and funded by the local Thunder Bay District Social Services Administrative Board (City of Thunder Bay + 6 surrounding communities).
Construction started in 1986 and first tenants moved in, in April 1988. We have been in business over 20 years and have provided housing for hundreds of local residents.
We are proud to be one of the best projects in Northern Ontario, having been awarded the 2012 City of Thunder Bay Civic Beautification Award.
We have landscaped our property extensively to include a pond complete with a gazebo, an arch bridge, planted flower beds and trees around our property. Our common room is widely used by our tenants, local churches, seminars, weddings, and for other special occasions. Currently, we have 79 tenants living here. The average age is 80 years, 67% female, 63% of the tenants have a Finnish ethnic background.
All this has been made possible by the voluntary work of Suomi Koti’s Board of Directors, Ladies Auxiliary, residents and our members.
Our goal is to provide the best possible “home” to our tenants.
Board of Directors
Ronald Oja
Chair/Chairperson
Raija Harju
1st Vice Chair
Hannu Uurainen
2nd Vice Chair
Alvin Pelto
Secretary
Liisa Lahtinen
Vice Secretary
Ritva Restall
Treasurer
Laurie Pudas
Board Member
Tim Britton
Board Member
Gary Laine
Board Member
Key Personnel
Susan Duncan
Property Manager
Lynn Gray
Finance
Pertti Havula
Maintenance