All three levels of government came together in London to
officially open 52 new affordable housing units in the city,
Friday, (Oct. 16).
The Friday announcement recognized the opening of Nelson Place,
570 Nelson St., a $7.6 million project to be occupied by
individuals and families living on low incomes.
Of the $7.6 million price tag, $1.3 million came from municipal
coffers with the remainder pulled from the federal and
provincial governments.
MP Ed Holder, MPP
Deb Matthews, London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and Brian
Loubert, vice-president of Homes Unlimited London, were among
the representatives who attended the event.
"The Government of
Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in
London and across Canada for those who need it most. 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 London
community," Holder said.
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.
" Housing is simply essential to the stability of Ontario's
families. The projects we're celebrating today will make a
positive and significant difference in the lives of many,"
Matthews said.
In the fall of 2008, the federal government 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.
Ontario is moving to implement this additional funding, which
increases the number of "quick start" projects to 39 totaling
over $76.5 million, aimed at improving access to affordable
housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with
disabilities.
"This opening is very important to all Londoners, as we continue
to battle homelessness in our community and beyond. By
partnering with other levels of government through the
Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program, we move closer to
realizing a national solution to the critical need for more
housing across the country, " said DeCicco-Best.
