Posted: March 11, 2010 at 9:07 am | Tags: 130 Anson Street, Affordable, behalf, Bonnie Clark, Dean Del Mastro, Deputy Mayor, Diane Finley, Henry Clarke, Honourable, Housing Market, Jeff Leal, Jim Bradley, Mayor Paul Ayotte, Member, Minister Responsible, MP Del Mastro, Parliament, Paul Ayotte, Peterborough
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Peterborough today celebrated the official opening of an affordable housing project. The project is supported by more than $2 million in funding under 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 and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Jeff Leal, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Henry Clarke, Deputy Mayor of Peterborough on behalf of Paul Ayotte, Mayor of Peterborough; and Bonnie Clark, Chair of Peterborough Housing Corporation made the announcement.
“This is great news for families and individuals in Peterborough. Our Government is providing a hand-up to those families in need,” said MP Del Mastro. “Through projects like these, our government is stimulating the economy and creating jobs to help Canadians recover from the economic downturn.”
“The province is committed to helping people who live on lower or fixed incomes stay in their home communities,” said MPP Leal. “Investment in affordable housing is not only a fundamental support for individuals and families trying to break the cycle of poverty, it also improves job prospects and supports local trades and business.”
Today’s announcement recognized the official opening of 30 affordable housing units at Saunders Court, located at 130 Anson Street. The project for households with low incomes and persons with special needs is sponsored by the Peterborough Housing Corporation.
The federal and provincial allocations to the project were complemented by $355,459 in municipal financial incentives.
“Saunders Court is an exciting new development that will provide 30 new affordable housing units in the City of Peterborough,” said Mayor Paul Ayotte. “Peterborough Housing Corporation is to be congratulated for their continued efforts to create housing opportunities for low-income households in Peterborough.”
“We believe this building is our best effort yet”, said Bonnie Clark, Chair of Peterborough Housing Corporation. “This site has been part of a continuum of service to the community for nearly a century, as both a refuge and home for those in need.”
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.
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: March 10, 2010 at 4:09 pm | Tags: Action, Affordable, behalf, canada, City, community, Corporation, Darryl Hickie, Diane Finley, Donna Harpauer, Economic, government, Honourable, Housing Market, initiative, Jim Scarrow, Mayor Jim Scarrow, Minister Responsible, MLA, MP Hoback, Nest, Plan, Prince Albert, Prince Albert Randy Hoback, province, Saskatchewan, Support, youth
Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with MLA Darryl Hickie, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services, and Jim Scarrow, Mayor of Prince Albert, today announced support for a local housing initiative for persons with disabilities.
Funding in the amount of $679,500 has been made available for the initiative through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $132 million under the amended Canada – Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement. Other funding includes $400,000 from the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy and $54,500 from the City of Prince Albert.
“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is helping Canadians during these tough economic times,” said MP Hoback. “Here in Prince Albert, this achievement gives a hand-up to low-income youth who need safe, affordable housing that meets their needs. This is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly.”
“Our government is pleased to help provide safe, affordable housing for at-risk youth in the community of Prince Albert,” MLA Darryl Hickie said. “This aligns with our vision of putting vulnerable people first and helping them build better lives for themselves. Affordable housing is a key component of that.”
“Affordable housing is a community matter and this project is another example that, by working together, we can respond to the needs of individuals and families who are most vulnerable, by providing safe, secure and affordable housing for all,” said Mayor Jim Scarrow. “This project will provide these individuals with a home for a successful transition to living independently. Together we can build a greater city and province.”
Persons with disabilities often have difficulty finding housing that meets their specific needs. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $75 million over two years to build new rental housing for persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
The eight-plex, located at 74 – 18th Street West in Prince Albert, will provide safe, affordable housing for very low-income youth with mental health and cognitive disabilities. Four of the units will be for those who are also homeless or at risk of homelessness. The residence is located within walking distance of the downtown core and a local drop-in centre, The Nest, which provides meals and programs that address independent living skills and employment initiatives.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.
The amendment to the Canada – Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which included funding under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, signed in May 2009, brought federal housing support of $74 million to the province. The Government of Saskatchewan will match that commitment for a total of $148 million to assist those in housing need and, in collaboration with other levels of government and community partners, to make various types of affordable housing programs possible. In Saskatchewan, federal-provincial housing programs are delivered through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
Posted: March 10, 2010 at 4:06 pm | Tags: Agreement, Alexander, announcement, canada, Celebrate, City, community, Diane Finley, Gail Shea, government, Honourable, Housing Market, Hunter River, Inc, investment, Minister Responsible, Minister Shea, Moishe, New, Oceans, P.E.I, P.E.I. Affordable, part, Premier Robert Ghiz, Prince Edward Island, Robert Ghiz, Summerside, today, total
Posted by Moishe Alexander
The Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island today announced a joint investment to build new affordable housing on the Island. The bundled announcement represents a total of 21 affordable rental units for persons with disabilities and is made possible in part through a $775,000 investment from the Canada – P.E.I. Affordable Housing Agreement.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, made the announcement.
“The Government of Canada is dedicated to helping those in need in Prince Edward Island through these tough economic times,” said Minister Shea. “Through projects like these, our government is providing safe affordable housing to many residents in our community while creating jobs and stimulating our economy.”
“We’re pleased to partner with the Federal Government on these significant initiatives for the City of Summerside and the community of Hunter River,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “The Hunter River project is in line with the provincial government’s Rural Action Plan which supports the continued provision of essential services in rural communities.”
Today’s announcement recognized funding for three multi-unit affordable housing projects in Prince Edward Island. Scotcor Rentals Inc., Community Connections Inc. and HR Holdings Ltd. are developing the buildings at three separate locations in Summerside and Hunter River, near schools, businesses and community services.
The Canada – Prince Edward Island Affordable Housing Agreement involves an investment of $8.32 million in affordable housing in Prince Edward Island. To date, more than 155 units have been supported by the Agreement in rural and urban communities across P.E.I.