The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board is making homes, originally constructed for low-income aboriginal people in Atikokan, also available to non-natives.
Assistant Housing Manager Michelle Shute says it's a move designed to help occupy the homes.
"The Atikokan Native Non-Profit Homes has had a history of high vacancy rate," says Shute. "The Rainy River DSSAB, as a property manager for Atikokan Native, has attempted to increase tenancy by promotion and communication with other local agencies but their vacancy rate continues to be quite high."
Just four of seventeen homes are currently occupied.