For Release - October 16, 2009
LONDON
CELEBRATES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING
LONDON
– The
Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of
London today celebrated the opening 52
new affordable
rental units.
The project is supported by more than $3.6 million in funding under
the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
Ed Holder
Member of Parliament
for London West, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister
of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister
Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); the
Honourable Deb Matthews, Member of Provincial Parliament for London
North Centre and Minister of Children and Youth Services, on behalf
of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Housing; Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, Mayor, City of London; and Greg
Playford, President of Homes Unlimited (London) 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," said MP Ed Holder. “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.”
"Housing is simply essential to the stability of
Ontario's families," MPP Matthews. "The
projects we're celebrating today will make a positive and
significant difference in the lives of many."
Today’s announcement recognized
the official opening of Nelson Place located at 570 Nelson Street.
The $7.6 million project
will be occupied by individuals and families living on low income.
The federal and provincial
allocations to the project were complemented by almost
$1.3 million in
municipal financial incentives.
“This opening is very important to all Londoners, as we continue to
battle homelessness in our community and beyond,” said Mayor DeCicco-Best.
“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.”
”Nelson Place is Homes Unlimited’s seventh housing project and will
provide a new home for 52 tenants in need of affordable rental
housing,”
said Greg
Playford, President of Homes Unlimited (London). “We are pleased
that the federal and provincial governments, along the City London,
continue to provide the financial support that allows us to address
the need for affordable housing in our community.”
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.
Last fall, the Government of Canada 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 quickly to implement this additional funding, which
increases the number of “quick start” projects to 39 totaling over
$76.5 million and which will improve access to affordable housing
for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities.
It will also create jobs and
strengthen local economies. To find out more about affordable
housing in Ontario, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are
working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians,
call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.
For more information on Canada’s
Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information visit:
http://www.cmhc.ca
www.ontario.ca/housing
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