Posted by Moishe Alexander:
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the County of Wellington celebrated the grand opening of 55 affordable rental units. The project is supported by more than $3.8 million in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
The Honourable Michael Chong, Member of Parliament for Wellington – Halton Hills, 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 Wilkinson, Member of Provincial Parliament for Perth – Wellington, on behalf of Jim Bradley, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, along with Joanne Ross-Zuj, County of Wellington Warden made the announcement.
“Our Government is dedicated to giving a hand-up to those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in this project in Fergus,” said MP Michael Chong. “These 55 units are more than just safe and affordable places to live. They are the key to a better life for the families and individual that will call them home.”
“The province of Ontario is committed to helping people who live on lower or fixed incomes stay in their home communities,” said MPP John Wilkinson. “These 55 new affordable accessible rental units are going to make a positive difference in the lives of these individuals and families. The construction is part of our Open Ontario plan to create jobs and economic opportunities in the County of Wellington.”
“The County of Wellington is dedicated to helping all of our residents find a comfortable and safe place to call home,” said Warden Joanne Ross-Zuj. “Ownership of Fergusson Place by the County ensures that long-term quality, affordable housing will be available to residents needing assistance. Through construction projects like these, the County continues to create jobs and stimulate our local economy.”
Fergusson Place, a 55-unit project located at 165 Gordon Street in Fergus, Wellington County, received more than $3.8 million through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The building is occupied by persons with special needs, singles and families. The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $5.7 million in municipal capital funding.
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.
In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over 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 for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans 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.
In 2009, Ontario allocated a combined federal and provincial investment of $704 million for the renovation of social housing, and $540 million for the construction of new affordable housing. This investment is part of the Open Ontario plan, and will generate an estimated 23,000 jobs over the course of the program, while strengthening local economies across the province. To date, Ontario has approved more than $465 million for construction-ready projects, which will provide affordable housing for low-income families, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, and $351.9 million for repairs benefiting some 148,000 social housing units.