York community housing, homelessness program get funding boost
More than $17 million from the provincial and federal governments will help build, repair and expand housing options
Newmarkettoday.ca
November 22, 2019
The Regional Municipality of York welcomes approximately $17.4 million over three years through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative, plus a one-time contribution of $51,493 through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative.
The funding will help the Region and housing providers meet community needs by preserving and increasing the supply of community housing.
“Creating a complete range of housing options for our growing and diverse communities remains a priority of York Regional Council,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Thanks to our federal and provincial partners, these new housing programs will help York Region continue to meet community housing needs.”
The funding will be used to support:
- Development of approximately 100 units owned by Housing York Inc. in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Increasing the overall supply of non-profit community housing, adding approximately 26 units
- Capital repairs in existing community housing buildings to ensure existing units are maintained in a state of good repair
- Expansion of the Region’s Home Now Program, providing housing allowances for approximately 50 households experiencing chronic homelessness
- Maintaining the Housing Allowance program, providing housing allowances for up to 135 existing residents to help them afford their private market rental housing
“Housing costs continue to rise and outpace incomes, and there is a limited amount of rental housing supply,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, Chair of Community and Health Services. “Together with our community partners, we will continue working to expand housing options.”
The programs are cost-shared through a bilateral agreement between the provincial and federal governments under the National Housing Strategy and replace the current Investment in Affordable Housing Extension, which ends June 2020.
