Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Dunnville

Government of Canada/Public Works — November 16, 2012

DUNNVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 16, 2012) - The official opening of 21 new affordable rental housing units for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities was held today in Dunnville. The project received more than $2.5 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. The construction of this project created up to 53 jobs in the Dunnville area.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk; Mario Sergio, Parliamentary Assistant to Bob Chiarelli, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Ken Hewitt, Mayor of Haldimand County, made the announcement.

"Our Government is taking action to help ensure economic growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians," said Minister Finley. "Through federal investments at Maple Grove Place, we are ensuring that seniors and people with disabilities benefit from affordable housing, which in turn supports the local economy and creates jobs."

"I'm delighted that Maple Grove Place will enable residents to continue to live in dignity and independence" said Parliamentary Assistant Sergio. "It is another example of how our Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy is working to make affordable housing more accessible for people in Haldimand and Norfolk counties and across Ontario."

"Haldimand County is proud to be in partnership with the federal government, provincial government, the Service Manager for both Haldimand and Norfolk Counties, Halton Cheshire Homes, and the Local Health Integrated Network in order to create such a great facility for the benefit of all the citizens of Haldimand County," said Mayor Hewitt.

Maple Grove Place, a 21-unit building located at 657 Lock St. West received more than $2.5 million in federal and provincial funding from Canada's Economic Action Plan and the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. Haldimand County also contributed to this project by providing a loan guarantee and by providing a 49 year lease at $1 per year.

Operated by Cheshire Independent Living Services and funded by the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network, Maple Grove Place offers assisted living for people who require support services to achieve greater independence and optimize their quality of life. Personal support workers are available 24-hours a day to help residents with personal care and day-to-day activities of daily living. Meals and laundry services are provided by the adjoining Grandview Lodge.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Ontario, this represents almost 238,000 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2009, the provincial government has provided more than $184 million to build new rental housing units for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Since 2003, Ontario's funding commitment of nearly $3 billion is the largest affordable housing program in the province's history. Ontario is supporting the creation of over 17,000 affordable rental housing units; making more than 263,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units; and providing rental and down payment assistance to over 81,000 households in need. The province's Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy sets a strong foundation for a more efficient, accessible affordable housing system in Ontario.

Affordable housing is a key component of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy. Download a copy of the Government of Ontario's Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.ontario.ca/housing.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.

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Contact Information

Media inquiries:
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Charles Sauriol
613-748-2799

Office of Minister Finley
Marian Ngo
819-994-2482

Office of Minister Chiarelli
Kelly Baker
416-585-6842

Haldimand and Norfolk Counties
Merv Hughes
519-426-6170, ext. 3122

www.cmhc.ca
www.ontario.ca/housing