Laurentian University’s new Institute for Northern Housing Innovation has secured more than $500,000 in provincial funding.
The institute will receive $512,544 in funding from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security through the Training, Equipment and Renewal Fund (TERF). The TERF is a $10-million provincial fund which helps universities renew and buy modern, state-of-the-art equipment and learning resources.
The Institute, housed within the McEwen School of Architecture, aims to address key challenges related to housing design and construction in Northern Ontario.
As previously reported, through community and industry partnerships, the institute will act as a hub for knowledge exchange in pursuit of innovative solutions to make housing more accessible, sustainable and affordable, while contributing to the well-being of northern communities and transforming the housing and construction industry, a news release about the funding states.
Research at the institute will include the development of advanced construction and manufacturing processes, bio-based building materials, sustainable housing design, economic models for affordability, and environmental impact analysis, the release states.
“The generous funding for this cutting-edge institute will create a springboard for Laurentian University students to launch their careers as leaders, addressing the housing needs of the future,” said Laurentian provost Malcolm Campbell, in the release.
“The institute and its trainees will have significant impacts for Northern Ontario and the world over.”
