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.
Posted: August 26, 2009 at 9:45 am | Tags: Alexander Reviews, Alliston, Anne Skeates, canada, ceremony, construction, Diane Finley, family, government, Helena, Honourable, Housing Market, Inc, Minister Responsible, Ontario, Place, project, shelter, Simcoe County, Sister, South Simcoe County, today, transition, violence
The Government of Canada and People in Transition (Alliston) Inc. held a ground-breaking ceremony today to celebrate the construction of five new second-stage housing units at “My Sister’s Place”, a shelter for women and children who are victims of family violence in Simcoe County.
The Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women) and Member of Parliament for Simcoe – Grey, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Anne Skeates, Board Chairperson, People in Transition (Alliston) Inc., along with guests attended today’s ceremony.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Minister of State Guergis. “Through this investment, My Sister’s Place will provide safe and supportive housing to women and their children who are experiencing family violence.”
Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Government of Canada provided $520,000 to My Sister’s Place through the Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP) and SEED funding. The SEP program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women and their children or youth who are victims of family violence. It also provides financial assistance for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing where needed. SEED funding offers financial assistance to housing proponents who are in the early stages of developing an affordable housing project.
The five units — one bachelorette and four one-bedroom apartments, will be built beside the existing emergency shelter in Alliston. Women and children currently staying at My Sister’s Place could move into this second-stage housing as part of their transition from the shelter. Second-stage housing is vital in helping women and children reclaim their lives and secure a brighter future.
“My Sister’s Place is very proud to be creating a second-stage housing project that is the only purpose-built building of its kind in South Simcoe County,” said Anne Skeates, Board Chairperson, People in Transition (Alliston) Inc. “The goal of this project is to provide ongoing and on site shelter for women who are recreating their lives in the wake of an abusive relationship.”
My Sister’s Place, operated by People in Transition (Alliston) Inc., provides emergency shelter services to abused women and their children who are fleeing violent and / or abusive relationships. More than 1,000 women and children are served annually.
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.