Windsor celebrates new affordable housing

WINDSOR, ON, Nov. 20 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada , the Government of Ontario, and the City of Windsor celebrated the funding for 15 new affordable rental units. This project is supported by $1.8 million in funding through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

Jeff Watson , Member of Parliament for Essex, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley , Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; the Honourable Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor West on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson , Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and City of Windsor Councillor Dave Brister , attended the ceremony.

"This is great news for people with disabilities in Windsor," said MP Watson. "These new rental units will provide more options for those in need of suitable, affordable housing, and are important to the economic and social well-being of the community."

"Access to affordable housing is a key component of the McGuinty government's poverty reduction strategy," said MPP Sandra Pupatello. "We are committed to working with our federal and municipal partners to ensure new affordable housing units are built in our community, where they are needed."

The 15-unit project, sponsored by Windsor Residence Inc., will be occupied by persons with disabilities.

"We are very excited about the new Windsor Residence II project" said Mayor Eddie Francis . "This project will provide much needed barrier free housing with support services for persons with physical and developmental challenges. We look forward to the completion of this new project to assist those in need of supportive housing in our community for many years to come."

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.

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 with a total of 39 quick start projects totaling over $76.5 million , 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.

    
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    For more information visit: http://www.cmhc.ca
                                www.ontario.ca/housing
    

For further information: Michelle Bakos, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]; Debbie Cercone, City of Windsor, [phone] ext 6239; Adam Grachnik, Office of Minister Watson, [phone]; Beth Bailey, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [phone]