In the mid 1980’s the Congregation of Emmanuel United church determined their building at 5 Charles Street, West, North Bay had served its useful life as their church. They also recognized there was a community need for affordable housing. They identified an opportunity to address both needs. The congregation embarked on an ambitious project to construct two buildings on property they acquired on Lakeshore Drive.

The project included a new Emmanuel United Church and the 34 unit Emmanuel Village apartment building. Each building was occupied in 1986.

The property was severed and the two buildings are separate entities on adjacent and abutting properties. Emmanuel Village Non-Profit Homes (North Bay) was established as a “corporation without share capital” (March 19, 1985) and the Board of Directors of the Corporation was entrusted with the affairs of the apartment building. The two buildings are physically connected by a link.

Each building was well built and has been well maintained. There has been significant investment to refurbish and enhance each as need and opportunity arose. Annual reports provide a summary of Emmanuel Village’s capital assets for information at Emmanuel’s Annual Congregation Meeting.

Each entity is deemed to be a ministry of The United Church of Canada. In 2011, the
United Church of Canada’s formal oversight and supervision of incorporated housing
ministries was assumed by Manitou Conference. By-law #4 of the Corporation setting out the relationship was passed by the Board and approved in 2011.

In February 2016, EUC Council was advised that The United Church of Canada was
proposing significant organizational change as it strives to better serve its members and maintain founding principles. In May 2016 the Board was advised that The United Church of Canada was ending the formal Conference oversight and supervision of “incorporated ministries”. Emmanuel Village is one of many incorporated ministries providing affordable housing, in relationship with The United Church of Canada.

From the outset, members of Emmanuel United Church have offered and served on the Board and there has been no need to appoint others. Initially a management firm
oversaw maintenance and administrative services; however, since 2002 the Board has managed the building with a small support staff. The CMHC mortgage stipulated that units be offered at the low end of market rent. The current agreement with DNSSAB calls for 14 units be available as RGI (rental geared to income). In 2016 the Board committed to provide affordable accommodation for 10 years until 2027.

The Emmanuel Village Board has a formal agreement with the EUC Outreach
Committee for the right to lease and operate the laundry facilities. Outreach is
responsible for the equipment and the collection and disbursement of receipts. Any
profit goes to other outreach programs with a portion directed to the “social and physical well-being of tenants”. There are requirements for Outreach to provide the Board financial statements and pay for lease and replacement of the equipment.

The Release Agreement between the Corporation and the Church Parties (Manitou
Conference and UCC) acknowledges that there is a “shared use agreement” between the Corporation and Emmanuel United Church and affirms that the “Corporation assets shall vest in the United Church if the housing Corporation ceases to function, winds up or dissolves.”

The Emmanuel United Church congregation was the “entity” which conceived, effected and continues to provide service as envisioned at the time that the significant outreach ministry of “Emmanuel Village” was created. The assets have been sustained and nurtured for over 30 years.

The Village Board has functioned, within the governance of its Bylaws and Letters
Patent, providing affordable accommodation since it was created in 1985. There is a
commitment to continue as such until 2027. Through its participation in the Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporation Act (ONPHA), the Board is aware that the Province of Ontario intends to proclaim a new Ontario Not-For-Profit Act (ONCA).

A seven-member Board of Directors is elected each year at the Village’s Annual
Meeting. At the present time, all directors are members or staff of Emmanuel United
Church.

When released from direct United Church of Canada oversight, there was a mutual
understanding of the congregation’s interest in the asset. The congregation of
Emmanuel United Church is vested with the assets, should the Village Corporation
cease to function, wind-up or dissolve.

(These notes were redacted from a report compiled by Robert Whitford and Dave Robinson, February
2018)

If you are interested in renting a unit in Emmanuel Village please call

705 474 0666 ask for Tina.