Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Waterloo

Government of Canada/Public Works — January 18, 2013

WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 18, 2013) - The official opening of three new affordable housing projects for seniors living on low income, people with disabilities and other low-income households was held today in Waterloo. Combined, these three projects received more than $10 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. The construction of these projects created up to 208 jobs in Waterloo Region.

Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and John Milloy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; along with Ken Seiling, Chair, Region of Waterloo, made the announcement.

"Our Government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Waterloo Region and throughout the country," said MP Braid. "These three projects provide safe and affordable housing while contributing to the community and the local economy."

"Our government is proud to have invested in affordable housing projects in Waterloo to assist those who need it most," said MPP Milloy. "Access to safe and affordable housing helps vulnerable individuals and families secure employment and build stronger communities."

"Community based groups in this Region have seen the need to make safe, affordable, supportive and accessible housing available and have worked with the Region and other levels of government to build it," said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. "We need to be grateful we live in such a caring community."

Today's event celebrated the official opening of three new affordable rental housing projects in the Region of Waterloo. Projects include:

Supportive Housing of Waterloo, 362 Erb Street West in Waterloo received $3.6 million for 30 units for people with disabilities and other low-income individuals
My Owen Place, 364 Erb Street West in Waterloo, received $5.98 million for 49 units for seniors living on low income.
MennoHomes in Wellesley, received $480,000 for four units for low-income families and individuals.

The federal and provincial funding for these projects is complemented by $1.52 million in regional financial incentives from the Region of Waterloo. Additional funding for Supportive Housing of Waterloo is complemented by $210,030 from the City of Waterloo.

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 $191 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:
CMHC
Dean D'Souza
416-250-2760

Office of Minister Finley
Marian Ngo
Press Secretary
819-994-2482

Office of Minister Chiarelli
Kelly Baker
416-585-6842

Region of Waterloo
Deb Schlichter
519-575-4521

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