Construction begins on affordable housing in Lanark County

PERTH, ON, Feb. 17 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and Lanark County today announced the start of construction of new affordable housing in Perth. The project received over $1 million through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for 15 affordable housing units.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Jim Bradley, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and John Fenik, Mayor of Perth and Lanark County Warden, made the announcement.

"Our government is helping Canadians during these tough economic times. In Perth, this achievement gives a hand-up to individuals and families who need safe, affordable housing that meets their needs," said Minister Finley. "This is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly."

"The province is committed to helping people who live on lower or fixed incomes stay in their home communities," said Minister Bradley. "Building new affordable housing supports individuals and families trying to break the cycle of poverty, improves their job prospects, puts local trades to work and generates business activity."

Today's announcement recognized the start of construction of the Rogers Road Apartments, a $1.69 million project which will provide a total of 20 affordable housing units for individuals living on low incomes including 15 units for individuals with special needs..

"It is the most vulnerable in society for whom we must care," said Mayor Fenik. "A start is by ensuring, that those at risk individuals, families and children have appropriate affordable housing. This project, in a small way, helps make that a reality."

The Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement 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.

In 2008, 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. The province has already approved more than $382 million for construction-ready projects, which will improve access to affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities across the province. 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.

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For more information visit: www.cmhc.ca

www.ontario.ca/housing

For further information: Joe Kim, Minister Jim Bradley's Office, [phone]; Nancy Green, Lanark County, [phone] x2101; Rob Cressman, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, [phone]; Angelina Ritacco, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [phone]; Michelle Bakos, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]