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Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in London

Comments: 0November 20th, 2009 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

Funding of $4.7 million for 52 new affordable housing rental units for seniors living on low income was announced today in London.

Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West, 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 Chris Bentley, Attorney General and Member of Provincial Parliament for London West on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; along with David Winninger, Councillor on behalf of Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, Mayor of the City of London, 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 Holder. “This investment is possible through our government’s Economic Action Plan, that is stimulating the economy and creating 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 Bentley. “We will continue to work with our municipal partners to ensure more units are built during the life of this program.”

“This multi-level funding is very important to all Londoners, especially our seniors, as we continue to work together to combat homelessness, through the provision of decent affordable housing in our community,” said Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best.

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.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, affordable housing, moishe alexander

Windsor Celebrates New Affordable Housing

Comments: 0November 20th, 2009 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

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.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada

2009 Canadian Housing Observer Released by CMHC

Comments: 0November 16th, 2009 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

Innovative approaches developed by the private sector, not-for-profit sector and all levels of government are increasingly driving the production of affordable housing, particularly for low-income households, reports the 2009 Canadian Housing Observer, released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“The 2009 Canadian Housing Observer is unique in providing a comprehensive annual examination of the key factors influencing the development of housing, a vital sector for Canada,” said Karen Kinsley, President of CMHC.

The 2009 Observer, CMHC’s flagship publication, details the private sector’s innovations in producing affordable housing, including providing direct support to tenants or homeowners through interest-free loans and measures to reduce housing costs through creative approaches to design, construction and renovation.

For their part, not-for-profit organizations are finding ways to provide affordable housing without on-going government support. For example, the Habitat for Humanity model is based on the concept of “partnership housing” where the potential homeowners contribute sweat equity and work alongside community volunteers and businesses to build homes.

Some municipal governments are also adopting new housing policies, including housing trust funds, donating land for affordable housing and reducing or waiving municipal fees.

Underpinning these efforts is support from federal and provincial/territorial governments, through flexible agreements that allow for innovative ideas, as well as financial and in-kind contributions.

Other key findings in this year’s Observer include:

* Nationally, the incidence of core housing need decreased from 13.7 per cent in 2001 to 12.7 per cent in 2006, with most regions in the country following the national trend;
* The effects of the aging of Canada’s population over the next three decades and the important implications this will have on homebuilders, mortgage lenders and policy makers;
* The effect of immigration on population and household growth will become increasingly important;
* Housing starts were above the 200,000 unit level for the seventh consecutive year and housing-related spending contributed just over $300 billion to the Canadian economy in 2008;
* A water-sensitive approach to urban design is an important part of efforts to encourage the development of healthy, energy-efficient sustainable homes and communities.

In addition to the Observer, CMHC offers detailed online statistical housing information and analysis. This includes CMHC’s Housing in Canada Online interactive tool.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, Quebec, affordable housing

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