Aboriginal students going to the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD) in South Point Douglas and their families have a new place to call home while they continue their studies.

Manitoba’s Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross officially opened Neeginan Village’s second phase—a new 15-unit housing complex—Monday afternoon.

“A roof is really important and the foundation is important—but what’s valuable are these young people that are going to move into these townhouses and raise their families and encourage their future as well as the future of this community,” said Irvin-Ross at the ceremony. “Until we started building these townhouses and this apartment block… this was primarily industrial, we’re bringing people back here to live, and that is going to help rejuvenate Point Douglas.”

The new townhouses, located at 145 and 147 Higgins Avenue, are just a quick walk from CAHRD’s campus in the former Canadian Pacific Railway Station and each unit features three bedrooms with all appliances including a washer and a dry, and all are heated by geothermal technology.

The project was developed by CARHD and supported by more than $3-million from the province’s HOMEWorks! Een Dah Aung Rental and Cooperative Housing Program.

The first phase saw a three storey 28-unit apartment block built next to the centre, and Bill Shed, vice-chair of CAHRD’s board of directors told Metro a third phase is under works right next store to the second phase.

Twenty-seven-year-old first-year student and mother Alma Hart, who is expecting another child in January, is one of the tenants at the new development. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to live so close to her classes.

“It really opens a door for me to be part of this,” she said.