Government of Canada Invests in Orillia Homeless Shelter

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

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

ORILLIA, ON, April 26, 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 Orillia, Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs), on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a federal government financial commitment of over $6.3 million for the construction of Building Hope.

Thanks to this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and to the investments of other partners, notably the City of Orillia and Simcoe County, this project by the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter will provide a range of housing as well as emergency food and shelter, primary care, mental health and addiction services for people who are experiencing a housing crisis.

The project, consisting of two buildings, will include 20 self-contained bachelor supportive housing units in Building one. Building two will comprise of 18 rooms which will house 40 shelter beds as well as service hubs, a commercial kitchen and offices for the management team.

Serving Orillia's homeless and vulnerable since 1992, the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter guides the vulnerable out of life's storms, provides physical needs, gives spiritual hope and points the way to wellness by connecting and anchoring their clients into the community with permanent, safe housing.

Quotes

"Through the National Housing Strategy, our Government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Orillia 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. Building Hope will be more than just a safe and affordable place to spend the night, it is a key to a better life for the vulnerable individuals who will come here when they have nowhere else to go." – Adam Vaughan, Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

"On behalf of our Board of Directors and our Building Hope Team, we are thankful for the government's commitment to this initiative, and thrilled with the support of the people at CMHC that have provided guidance as we move to build a legacy facility in our community for those in need." – Glenn Wagner, Chair of the Board, The Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter

Quick Facts

• The Building Hope buildings aim to achieve a 25% reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions when compared to the current National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB 2015).
• 48 units will be designed for accessibility.
• On-site support at Building Hope will be provided by multiple organizations and volunteers. There are well established partnerships with service providers such as the John Howard Society, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Youth Haven and Empower Simcoe.
• 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. For more information, visit our website 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, CMHC Public Affairs, 647-244-0040, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca