Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in
Hastings County

BELLEVILLE, ON, Nov. 27 /CNW/ - Funding of $2.4 million for 20 new affordable housing rental units for seniors living on low income was announced today in Belleville.

Daryl Kramp , Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings, 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), and the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Member of Provincial Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson , Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; along with Lloyd Churchill , Mayor of Bancroft and Chair of the Hastings/Quinte Social Services Committee on behalf of Warden of Hastings County, Ron Emond and Councillor Garnet Thompson on behalf of Neil Ellis , Mayor of Belleville, made the announcement.

"The Government of Canada is helping Canadians during these tough economic times and giving hope to seniors who need quality, affordable housing that meets their needs," said MP Kramp. "This investment is possible through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. For Ontario, this includes a $1.2 billion joint investment."

"New housing initiatives add significant support to the McGuinty government's Poverty Reduction Strategy," said MPP Dombrowsky. "We will continue to work with our municipal partners to ensure more units are built during the life of this program."

"The support of both the federal and provincial governments is crucial to our collective attempts to find housing that is affordable for those in search of an adequate, affordable home," said Warden Emond. "With over 1300 households still on our affordable housing wait list the challenge is great but with today's announcement we are making a real difference here in the City of Belleville."

"This joint funding towards affordable housing for seniors in Belleville is wonderful news and will be welcomed by those individuals currently on the waiting list for affordable housing in our community," said Mayor Ellis . "It is another great example of what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together for the betterment of all citizens."

The Government of Canada wants to ensure that Canadians on fixed incomes can live with independence and dignity and remain in their communities, close to family and friends. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million , over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion , over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

Today's announcement celebrates the funding for 20 new affordable rental units for seniors at 185 Cannifton Road, in Belleville. The project is sponsored by the Corporation of the County of Hastings.

Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding. The province has already approved more than $172 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.

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan can be found at www.actionplan.gc.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.

    
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    For more information visit: http://www.cmhc.ca
                                www.mah.gov.on.ca.
    

For further information: Media Inquiries: Michelle Bakos, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]; Leslie Pawlowski, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [phone]; Adam Grachnik, Office of Minister Watson, [phone]; Scott Robertson, Manager, Housing Programs Branch, Hastings County, [phone] ext. 4302; Michelle Ogden, Affordable Housing Supervisor, Hastings County, [phone] ext. 4310