Add

Construction Set to Begin on New Affordable Housing in Nipissing

Moishe Alexander takes a look at the new CMHC project in Nipissing.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board today announced $5.5 million to fund two construction-ready projects.

The funding was made available as a result of a $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of Ontario. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.

Today’s announcement recognized the successful application by West Nipissing Non-Profit Housing Corporation and Group 1732965 Ontario Limited to create 65 units of affordable housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities.

The Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Carleton – Mississippi, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); David Ramsay, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier and Member of Provincial Parliament for Timiskaming – Cochrane, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; along with George Jupp, Chair of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board, made the announcement today at the housing site.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, our  Government is working hard to support Canadians during these challenging economic times and we are moving aggressively to ensure Canada’s Economic Action Plan is implemented rapidly,” said Minister O’Connor. “We are stimulating our economy and supporting the most vulnerable, including low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, access suitable, affordable housing, as well as making needed renovations to existing social housing both in Ontario and across Canada.”

“New housing initiatives add significant support to the McGuinty government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy,” said MPP Ramsay. “This first wave of funding will lead to construction by September and we will continue to work with our municipal partners to ensure more units are built during the life of this program.”

“The District of Nipissing is proud to be a partner with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and, the Municipality of West Nipissing in developing affordable housing opportunities for seniors. West Nipissing Centre du Nipissing Ouest is another wonderful example of a Private-Public partnership working well to improve the housing opportunities in the communities that we serve. West Nipissing Non Profit Housing Corporation is well positioned to provide a continuum of housing and support services for years to come. Congratulations to both,” stated George Jupp, Chair of the DNSSAB.

Ontario is moving quickly to implement this new funding with a total of 38 quick start projects totaling over $75 million — all of which will improve access to affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities. It will also create jobs and strengthen local economies.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.