Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate Affordable Housing in Halton Region

Ontario.ca
April 13, 2018
By Ministry of Housing

More families, seniors and persons with disabilities have a place to call home in Halton Region. The federal and provincial governments have invested over $21 million to create 145 units of affordable housing through the Canada-Ontario Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement.

Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary (Housing and Urban Affairs) to the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Ontario's Minister Responsible for Digital Government, Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Peter Milczyn, Ontario's Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, made the announcement today. Gary Carr, Regional Chair of Halton Region also participated.

The announcement took place at Westwood Phase II, which provides 37 units of affordable housing, including four units for seniors with disabilities. Its environmentally friendly geo-thermal heating and cooling system reduces both greenhouse gases and residents' energy bills.

Three other affordable housing developments across Halton Region were also celebrated at the event.

Quick Facts

• Westwood II offers supports, like light housekeeping, to help seniors remain independent and live at home.
• Westwood II was built in partnership with New Horizon Group Development and received over $5.5 million in funding from the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario through the Investment in Affordable Housing agreement.
• The Governments of Canada and Ontario have partnered together to deliver the IAH program since 2011. Under the IAH, Ontario and the federal government are investing a total of $1.9 billion to improve access to affordable housing in Ontario.

Background Information

• New affordable rental housing in Halton Region
• Additional Resources
• 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 all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Investing in affordable housing is part of Ontario's plan to support care, create opportunity and make life more affordable during this period of rapid economic change. 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 or follow us on Twitter.
• Canada's first ever National Housing Strategy is a 10-year, $40-billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home. Under the National Housing Strategy, the federal government will recognize and progressively implement every Canadian's right to access housing that meets their needs and that they can afford. For more information on the National Housing Strategy visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Quotes

"When we help low-income households access the housing they need, we are doing more than putting a roof over their heads. We are helping to build a foundation for broader social and economic success for these families."

Adam Vaughan
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs)

"Westwood is proof that homes can be both environmentally friendly and affordable. Ontario is committed to ending chronic homelessness by 2025 and I'm pleased that the provincial and federal governments are working together to build projects like this that make housing more affordable and increase the quality of life for people in Burlington and across Halton Region."

Eleanor McMahon
Ontario's Minister Responsible for Digital Government, Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington

"Delivering new, affordable and assisted housing opportunities is one of Regional Council's strategic priorities. Housing is a joint responsibility. We are fortunate to have our partners from the federal and provincial governments contribute important funding to build affordable housing in Halton and strengthen our community."

Gary Carr
Regional Chair, Halton Region

"New Horizon Development Group is committed to our community's affordable housing needs and proud to contribute to two related projects to date. 986 Falcon Boulevard is a highlight achievement for our team. We are deeply appreciative for the work and contributions from Halton Region, the City of Burlington, and both the provincial and federal governments to ensure that this facility properly meets the housing needs of residents in our community."

Jeff Paikin
President and Co-founder, New Horizon Development Group