SAULT STE. MARIE -- In Sault Ste. Marie, the province is supporting a first of its kind initiative that is aimed at tackling the affordable housing problem.

If this program works, it could be implemented in communities throughout the province.

"When I lost the 2016 by election one of the things that I decided to do with my time was to buy an income property from a slumlord and see if I could turn it around," said Luke Dufour.

He was successful with the project, and with the next election, now a city councillor, Dufour is hoping his experience will help tackle the affordable housing problem in the Sault by starting a new program with Ontario Works.

"The housing corp will purchase property. They will improve the properties through OW construction maintenance program and then they will sell them to folks who are low income but are looking to own a home," he explained.

The program will also help potential homeowners with the down payment deposit for the house.

The province is giving the project $900,000 to pay for the homes. When a house is sold, the money will go back into the kitty and pay for future properties.

"It really speaks to allowing people to realize that dream of homeownership. And to have affordable sustainable program for affordable housing I think is very unique… this is made in Sault Ste. Marie," said Steve Clark, Municipal Affairs & Housing Minister.

People on Ontario Works will be taking a 10-week course at Sault College. They will help the general contractor renovate the homes.

"It's a very hands-on program so they are doing tiling. They're doing painting, they're doing drywall, they're doing flooring, and installing cupboards… it gives them the confidence and the skills and knowledge to be able to do the work and a lot of them are finding employment in that work," said Lori Crosson, Sault College.

Dufour says each home will have a budget of roughly $100,000. He is currently looking for the first house to fix up.

Minister Clark also announced the province is investing $40 million over five years to expand affordable off-reserve housing for Indigenous people.

The homes will be built in both small communities and larger centres.