There are over 40,000 people on Toronto's housing waiting list, says Marco Guzman, executive director for Frontiers Foundation. The foundation's latest project, Project Amik, will help alleviate the housing crisis. "We won't solve the problem but it will help," says Guzman. Up to now, the foundation's Operation Beaver worked in Aboriginal communities in northern parts of Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and other provinces. "Operation Beaver helps keep out the weather, keep in the heat and sustain clean running water and sanitary sewage systems," says Steve MacPhail, project coordinator for the Aboriginal renovation project.
Project Amik will be the first urban-based housing project for Operation Beaver. The project will renovate the historic 1917 Eaton's delivery building at 419 Coxwell Avenue.

Completion date is set for summer 2002.
"We're the Canadian version of Habitat for Humanity," says Guzman. He notes how Habitat for Humanity did try to set up a similar program in Canada but the mortgage costs were prohibitive for Aboriginal peoples. Aboriginal people don't have to pay back costs for Operation Beaver but they do pay in sweat equit by helping build their houses.
Families, singles, and disabled person can apply for one, two and three bedroom units. Project Amik accepts applications from Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people. Amik is the Ojibwe word for beaver. Years ago, the beaver was chosen as the foundation's mascot to indicate the cooperative nature of more then 3,000 volunteers in the foundation's 36-year history. The volunteers have assisted in numerous building a educational projects in Canada and abroad.