Governments of Canada and Ontario celebrate affordable housing in northeastern Ontario

Newswire.ca
July 13, 2017

The governments of Canada and Ontario are helping people in communities across northeastern Ontario by funding of a variety of affordable housing facilities in the region.

 

The announcement was held at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, which received over $3 million in combined federal and provincial funding through the Investment in Affordable Housing agreement. The centre is developing 18 affordable housing units for local Indigenous residents.

 

Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs), and the Honourable Chris Ballard, Ontario's Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, made the announcement today. Steve Black, mayor of Timmins, also spoke at the event.

 

The announcement celebrated nine additional affordable housing developments throughout northeastern Ontario, supported by more than $10.3 million in federal and provincial contributions from the governments of Canada and Ontario. These developments provide an additional 86 units of affordable housing in the region.

 

Quick facts:

 

The following developments were also celebrated today:

•Sixteen units of affordable housing for Indigenous residents at 181 Greenfield Drive in Sault Ste. Marie, which received $2.7 million

 

 

• Thirty-two units of affordable housing for seniors at Walden Seniors Apartments, 20 Hill Road in Lively, which received $4.7 million

 

• Six units of affordable housing for seniors at Physically Handicapped Adults Rehabilitation Association (PHARA) Westwind Shores, 135 Dawson Street in Thessalon, which received $569,400

 

• Five units of affordable housing for seniors at Silver Birch Apartments, 531 Trunk Road, in Sault Ste. Marie, which received $689,715

 

• Six units of affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence in Schumacher, which received $392,400

 

• Six units of affordable housing at 11 Spruce Street South in Timmins, which received $300,000

 

• Three units of affordable housing at 344 Lang Street in Timmins, which received $300,000

 

 

• Nine units of affordable housing for Indigenous residents at 225 Grenier Road in Cochrane, which received $446,323

 

• Three units of affordable housing at PossAbility Community Homes, 9 Amory Street in Desbarats, which received $203,926

 

Quotes:

 

"Safe, adequate and affordable housing is a catalyst that enables Canadians to achieve other goals-from raising healthy children to pursuing education, jobs and opportunity. When affordable housing is in short supply, Canada's whole economy suffers." - Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs)

 

"Ontario is committed to providing more affordable housing for families across the province. We know when people have a home, they are healthier, ready to pursue employment, and better equipped to contribute to their communities." - Chris Ballard, Ontario's Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy

 

"Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services is proud to work with numerous partners including the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, the Ministry of Housing and the federal government in the development of 18 homes for Indigenous People living in Timmins. Northeastern Ontario is experiencing a housing shortage and we know that safe, affordable housing is the foundation for the success of Indigenous individuals and families.  Although there is much more work to be done, this is a step in the right direction." - Don McBain, Executive Director, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services

 

"We are encouraged with the Government's investments in affordable housing in Timmins to provide our residents a safe and affordable place to call home. We are encouraged to see the government working with local organizations to form partnerships to help address the growing problem many regional residents have in obtaining affordable housing. We appreciate the government support in our region on this critical issue and hope to see continued partnerships going forward." - Steve Black, Mayor, City of Timmins

 

"The Timmins Native Friendship Centre strives to improve the quality of life for Indigenous people living in an urban environment. We are on our way to providing 18 - two bedroom units, with two accessible units.  We are excited to provide 18 families with a sense of security to avoid homelessness and provide onsite services as needed." - Gary Martin, President, Timmins Native Friendship Centre

 

Associated links:

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of CMHC's operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.

 

• Investing in affordable housing programs is part of Ontario's plan to create jobs, grow the economy and help people in their everyday lives. Since 2003, the province has committed more than $5 billion in funding for affordable housing, which has helped support more than 22,000 new affordable rental housing units, more than 335,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units and rental and down payment assistance to more than 93,000 households in need. These investments complement the commitments made through Ontario's recent Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy update, and support the province's goal of ending chronic homelessness by 2025. For more information on affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing.