Posted: November 16, 2009 at 11:43 am | Tags: Affordable, Ainslie, Alexander, Cambridge, canada, commitment, construction, Development, Doug Craig, Franz Environmental, Gary Goodyear, government, Heartwood, Honourable, Housing Market, Jim Watson, Ken Seiling, Minister Responsible, Ontario, Southern Ontario, Thomas Franz, Todd Smith, Waterloo
Posted by Moishe Alexander
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Region of Waterloo and the City of Cambridge today celebrated the start of construction of Heartwood Place on Ainslie. This development is supported by over $4.6 million in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science & Technology), (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; the Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Research and Innovation, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Waterloo Regional Chair, Ken Seiling; Mayor of Cambridge, Doug Craig, and Chair of the Heartwood Place Board, Mary Bales, attended the event.
“This is great news for individuals and families in Cambridge,” said Minister of State Gary Goodyear. “These new apartments will provide more rental options for those in need of suitable, affordable housing, and are important to the economic and social well-being of the community.”
“Heartwood Place on Ainslie is an example of our government commitment to improve the lives of Ontarians and build healthier communities,” said MPP Milloy. “I would like to congratulate the developer, our partners in other levels of government and community groups for making this project a reality.”
When completed, Heartwood Place on Ainslie will have 66 affordable units for low-income families and singles. The federal and provincial allocations to the project were complemented by more than $536,000 in municipal financial incentives by the City of Cambridge and more than $342,000 by the Region of Waterloo. To date, over $1.4 million in community donations has been raised in support of this project.
“The people behind Heartwood Place on Ainslie have been long time partners in the development of affordable housing in our community,” said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. “Through their ongoing generous contributions of time and money, our residents will now have more options for safe and affordable housing in Cambridge.”
“We are tremendously excited to see the continuous transformation of our downtown cores. This redevelopment of the former Cambridge Reporter site in Galt on the Grand incorporates a courtyard for the residents and the building is designed to complement heritage features of the surrounding neighbourhood,” said Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig.
“Celebrating the commencement of this project is a significant moment for our organization,” said Mary Bales, Chair of the Heartwood Place Board. “It took six years to address the issues of contamination on the site and reach the point of construction. Thanks to everyone, including all levels of government, donors, committed volunteers and staff for helping us achieve our goal. Special thanks to Todd Smith of Torstar, Thomas Franz of Franz Environmental and to Al Way of Jamesway Construction for their commitment to this project.”
The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.
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. Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.
Posted: October 26, 2009 at 12:20 pm | Tags: Affordable, Alexander, canada, City, community, construction, Diane Finley, Ed Komarnicki, government, Harvey Rosen, Housing Market, income, investment, Islands, Kingston, Mayor Harvey Rosen, Minister Responsible, Mr. Paul Martin, Ontario, Parliamentary, project
Posted by Moishe Alexander
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Kingston today celebrated the official opening of two new affordable housing projects and the start of construction of another. The projects are supported by more than $7.5 million in funding under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program and will provide 164 affordable housing units.
Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and to the Minister of Labour; John Gerretsen, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kingston and The Islands and Minister of the Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Harvey Rosen, Mayor of the City of Kingston, attended the event.
“The Government of Canada is helping make affordable housing available in Kingston and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki. “These new apartments provide more rental options for individuals and families in need of suitable, affordable housing. This is critical to the economic and social well-being of our Kingston community.”
“Our government is committed to developing better ways to meet the housing needs of Ontario’s vulnerable,” said Minister Gerretsen. “The benefits of projects like these ripple beyond the people who live here — our entire community reaps the rewards of new, safe and sustainable housing.”
Today’s announcement recognized three affordable housing projects in Kingston funded under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program:
* The official opening of a 93-unit building sponsored by R. Paul Martin Construction. The project received more than $2 million from the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The building will be occupied by individuals and families living on low and moderate income.
* The official opening of 24 units sponsored by Kingston Home Base Non — Profit Housing Inc. The project received $1.7 million from the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program and will be occupied by individuals with special needs and living on low income.
* The start of construction of 47 units sponsored by Frontenac Community Mental Health Services. The project received more than $3.8 million from the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The building will be occupied by low income individuals with special needs.
The federal and provincial allocations to the projects were complemented by about $660,000 in municipal grants and 67 units will receive ongoing financial assistance through the municipally funded rent supplement program.
“The City of Kingston is pleased to continue to work with our Federal/Provincial partners in the creation of new, safe, secure and affordable housing units,” said Mayor Harvey Rosen. “On behalf of the City of Kingston, I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the staff and Board members of Home Base Housing, Frontenac Community Mental Health Services and Mr. Paul Martin, on the occasion of the official opening of their affordable housing communities. Through their efforts, 164 residents have been able to find a new and permanent place to call home.”
The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, signed in 2005, comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.
In 2008, 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. Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.
Posted: October 13, 2009 at 7:23 am | Tags: 443 Reid Street, Affordable, Alexander, Amit Sofer, canada, community, Dean Del Mastro, Diane Finley, government, Housing Market, investment, Jeff Leal, Jim Watson, Mayor Ayotte, Member, Minister Responsible, MP Del Mastro, Mr. Sofer, Ontario, Parliament, Paul Ayotte, Peterborough, project, TVM
More affordable housing posted by Moishe Alexander
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Peterborough today celebrated the opening of 48 new affordable rental units. This project is supported by $3.36 million in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Jeff Leal, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Paul Ayotte, Mayor of Peterborough; and project sponsor Amit Sofer, President of the TVM Group attended the event.
“When it comes to building safe and strong communities, it takes the efforts of many to achieve success. It takes partnerships at all levels of government to get real results,” said MP Del Mastro. “This project demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together.”
“Through the construction of safe affordable housing, we are helping vulnerable people establish and maintain the stability that many of us take for granted,” said MPP Leal. “I am very proud that the provincial and federal governments have joined together to create this complex. These units are going to make a significant difference in the lives of many families in our area.”
Today’s announcement recognized the official opening of 443 Reid Street, a school that was converted into a 48-unit complex sponsored by TVM Schoolhouse Inc. The $5.6 million project will be occupied by low income individuals and families and individuals with special needs.
The federal and provincial allocations to the project were complemented by over $653,000 in municipal financial incentives.
“The City of Peterborough is pleased to see this historic building continue to provide a benefit to the community by providing people with disabilities an accessible place to live,” said Mayor Ayotte. “We are grateful to The TVM Group and Kawartha Participation Projects for their dedicated commitment to serve our community.”
“The TVM Group is very proud to present these 48 units. 443 Reid Street is a special, purpose-built conversion of a historic school property which became surplus into a heritage designated fully accessible affordable residential complex,” said Mr. Sofer President of The TVM Group. “This adaptive reuse has preserved an important community asset, and ensured its long-term contribution to our community.”
The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, signed in 2005, comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.
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. Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.