Posted: November 24, 2009 at 7:47 am | Tags: 725 Wellington Street, Action, Ben Lobb, Bill Goetz, Corporation, Diane Finley, Economic, government, Housing Market, income, Mike Smith, Minister Responsible, Mitchell, MP Lobb, Ontario, Parliament, Saugeen, Warden
Posted by Moishe Alexander
Funding of $2.1 million for 28 new affordable housing rental units for seniors, persons with disabilities, and other low income households was announced today in Port Elgin.
Ben Lobb, Member of Parliament for Huron – Bruce, 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), and Carol Mitchell, Member of Provincial Parliament for Huron – Bruce, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; along with Bill Goetz, Warden of the County of Bruce, and Mike Smith, Mayor of the Town of Saugeen Shores made the announcement.
“The Government of Canada is helping Canadians during these tough economic times and giving hope to seniors, persons with disabilities and other low income households who need quality, affordable housing that meets their needs,” said MP Lobb. “This investment is possible through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. For Ontario, this includes a $1.2 billion joint investment.”
“New housing initiatives add significant support to the McGuinty government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy,” said MPP Mitchell. “We will continue to work with our municipal partners to ensure more units are built during the life of this program.”
“Bruce County is very pleased to be able to build affordable housing homes,” said Warden Bill Goetz. “The 28 unit apartment building will help to address the housing needs for residents in Saugeen Shores.”
The Government of Canada wants to ensure that Canadians on fixed incomes can live with independence and dignity and remain in their communities, close to family and friends. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors and 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.
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.
Today’s announcement celebrates the funding for 28 new affordable rental units at 725 Wellington Street. The project is sponsored by Bruce County Housing Corporation.
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.