Government of Canada Invests in Affordable Housing in London

Logo: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Logo: Canada (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

LONDON, ON, July 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why, in May 2018, the Government launched the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), the largest program of its kind in Canadian history.

Today in London, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a $7.11 million financial commitment from the federal government for the Italian Seniors Project (ISP) Residenza Ortona development.

Thanks to this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and to the investments of other partners, including the City of London, this project will build 60 new units. 10 of the units will be dedicated to veterans with referrals from the Royal Canadian Legion and assistance and programming from Veterans Affairs Canada.

Founded in 2004, ISP is made up of a group of concerned London residents interested in constructing new rental housing for seniors and other persons in need of safe, affordable and accessible housing. ISP also operates Residenza Italia, a 52 unit project opened in 2011.

Quotes

"In November 2017, our Government announced Canada's first ever National Housing Strategy, a 10-year, $55-billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home. Through the National Housing Strategy, our Government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in London and in all corners of the country. We believe everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed and this is why we are extremely happy to be supporting this wonderful project."  – The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors

"This investment in Residenza Ortona is wonderful news for our city and one of the many actions our government has taken to ensure that communities across Ontario have the access to the safe, affordable and accessible housing they need. Our Government is committed to increasing the supply of rental units for Canadians right here in London and across Ontario through projects like the one we are announcing today." – Kate Young, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science and Sport and to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility (Accessibility)

"I am delighted to see that construction is underway on this project, and that soon more London residents will have an affordable place to call home thanks to the vision and dedicated hard work of ISP. Under the National Housing Strategy, we want to make sure those who are in the most need of safe and affordable housing have access to it. This project is another step in making sure every Canadian has a place to call home."  – Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre

"We're in desperate need of investments like this, and so we are extremely grateful for partnerships such as this which allow for progress to be made. The need for more affordable housing in London has never been greater. As of right now, we have more than 4,000 people on the waitlist, and demand continues to rise. We have a lot of work to do in London when it comes to affordable housing, but no municipality can do it alone. That's why we're so thankful for the support and leadership demonstrated by our senior government partners, along with support from local agencies and members of the private sector." – Ed Holder, Mayor of London.

"The vision that backstops the ISP is not just about building housing units, but rather to create communities in the projects we build.  The ISP's projects are focused on providng  our residents with a sense of pride, belonging and togetherness rather than just accomodations." – 
Mr. Claudio De Vincenzo, Director – Italian Seniors' Project (ISP)

"Today marks a significant step to address homelessness of Veterans in London, a step that we hope will end homlessness of Veterans in London, because even one homeless Veteran is too many." – Mr Brian Harris, Vice President of The Royal Canadian Legion- Ontario Command

Quick Facts

• 90% of Residenza Ortona's units will be affordable
• The new building aims to achieve energy savings of 27% and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 28% compared to the National Energy Code for Buildings 2015.
• 19 of the units will be designed to be accessible.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, Veterans and young adults.
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
• Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Associated Links

• 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. CMHC's aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Valérie Glazer, Press secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 613-220-1841, [email protected]; Spencer Magee, Public Affairs, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 647-244-0040, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca