Canada and Ontario Invest in Affordable Housing for Seniors in York Region

New Unionville Seniors development will support those at risk of being homeless

News.ontario.ca
July 29, 2020

Canada and Ontario are investing over $4.2 million in the Unionville Seniors affordable housing development to give seniors who are at risk of homelessness in York Region the housing and support services they deserve.

The new 264-unit building in Markham will be partially funded through the joint federal and provincial Social Infrastructure Fund and will include a seniors' hub and community space. It will be located at 4300 Highway 7 in Markham and is expected to open in 2022.

"Home is a place of safety and refuge. Our government is dedicated to housing more Canadians which is why we are proud to have invested in this development in Unionville. These new units are more than just safe and affordable places to live, they are key to a better life for the residents who call them home," said Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

"The pandemic has provided additional challenges for everyone, but we need to do what we can to ensure individuals and families find a safe and comfortable home," said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "This investment in Markham will help us achieve that goal. I am proud to say that in everything our government does, every program, every policy and every investment, we are putting people first."

"We want all our seniors to have a happy, healthy, active and engaged life," said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. "Seniors worked hard for decades, and they deserve to have a safe place to call home so they can enjoy this stage of their lives."

The Social Infrastructure Fund gives local communities the flexibility to address their local housing needs by funding new rental construction, and providing home repairs, housing allowances, rent supplements or home ownership.

"This investment is critical for our community and will enhance the quality of life for many people now and well into the future," said Billy Pang, MPP for Markham--Unionville. "Together we are creating solutions and providing much-needed affordable housing for seniors right here in Markham."

Ontario is working hard to safely restart the economy and create jobs so that everyone can get back to work. As communities continue to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, funding like this helps those most in need find stable housing and access to support services, such as counselling, addiction services and life-skills training.

Quick Facts

• The Social Infrastructure Fund is part of the federal-provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Program, which provides funding for affordable housing projects across Ontario.
• As part of the Community Housing Renewal Strategy, the Ontario government is investing nearly $1 billion in 2020-21, which will help sustain, repair and grow community housing and help end homelessness in Ontario.
• Ontario has provided $350 million in funding to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep vulnerable people safe. This includes funding to local service managers and Indigenous program administrators who were given the flexibility to expand the key services they already offer to meet their local needs, including supporting people who are having difficulty paying rent.