Social Infrastructure Spending Strengthens Communities and Grows the Economy in Ontario

Author: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News Bulletin

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, June 21, 2016 — The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the HonourableChris Ballard, Ontario’s Minister of Housing, today announced measures to give Canadians greater access to more affordable housing, including the doubling of current funding under the Investment in Affordable Housing initiative, supporting affordable housing for seniors, building and renovating shelters and transition houses for victims of family violence, and addressing repairs and improving energy and water efficiency of existing social housing.

Federal Budget 2016 investments in affordable housing will provide targeted support to those who need it most, including in Ontario, and create good jobs that help grow Canada’s economy in a clean and sustainable way. The federal and provincial/territorial governments will work together to quickly deliver the new funding. Over the next two years, more than $640 million in new funding will be jointly invested in Ontario by the federal and provincial governments in various initiatives to support the housing needs of Ontarians.

Ontario is matching the Federal Government’s commitment to double the current funding under the Investment in Affordable Housing initiative. An additional $168 million in provincial funding will be available to build, renovate, and provide critical affordable housing across the province.

Quotes

“All Canadians need and deserve housing that is safe, adequate and affordable. Through new investments in housing, the Government is helping to strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for Canadians, providing better places to live and grow.”
Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

“The partnership between Canada and Ontario to provide additional funding for affordable housing in Ontario gives life to our vision that every person has an affordable, suitable, and adequate home. This will help provide the foundation to secure employment, raise a family, and build strong communities.”
The Honourable Chris Ballard, Ontario’s Minister of Housing

“This investment will make a real difference in the lives of women and children who have experienced domestic violence and require shelter supports and services. This new funding will provide a significant enhancement to the Violence Against Women services sector to help women and children rebuild their lives, free of violence.”
The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Ontario’s Minister of Community and Social Services

“This much needed investment in supportive housing across Ontario will improve access to safe and stable housing for those who need it most. We know that housing is the first priority in helping people lead healthy lives.”
The Honourable Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

Quick Facts

  • In addition to existing funding under the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH), the funding levels by the Governments of Canada and Ontario have been doubled to more than $336.7 million over two years.
  • The Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Housing, is responsible for choosing the programs they design and deliver, and also has the flexibility to invest in a range of affordable housing programs in order to meet local needs. Initiatives can include, for example, new construction, renovation, affordability assistance and independent living (accessibility, modifications for persons with disabilities and seniors), and support of accommodations for victims of family violence.

Through the IAH, the Government of Canada is also providing to Ontario over two years:

  • almost $67.2 million to support the construction, repair and adaption of affordable housing for seniors;
  • more than $27.9 million to support the construction and renovation of shelters and transition houses for victims of family violence; and
  • almost $209.4 million to help address the increasing demand for repairs as social housing units age, and to improve efficiency and reduce energy and water use.

Stay Connected

  • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada’s authority on housing, we contribute to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provide support for Canadians in housing need, and offer unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of our operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca or follow us on TwitterYouTubeLinkedIn and Facebook.
  • Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2003, the province has committed more than $4 billion in funding for affordable housing, which has helped support more than:
    • 20,000 new affordable rental housing units;
    • 275,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units
    • rental and down payment assistance to more than 90,000 households in need.

    These investments complement the commitments made through Ontario’s recent Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy update, and support the province’s goal of ending chronic homelessness in 10 years. For more information on Affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing.

Media Contacts

Mathieu Filion
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Duclos
Tel.: 819-654-5546
Email: Mathieu.filion@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Dean D’Souza
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Tel.: 416-250-2760
Email: ddsouza@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Mark Cripps
Office of the Minister of Housing
Tel.:416-585-6842
Email: mark.cripps@ontario.ca

Conrad Spezowka
Ministry of Housing
Tel: 416-585-7066
Email: conrad.spezowka@ontario.ca 

Backgrounder

Investments in Affordable Housing in Canada

Measures over the next two years to give Canadians greater access to more affordable housing include:

Doubling of the current IAH funding levels by the Government of Canada and provinces and territories, to more than $1 billion over two years, starting in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.

Through the IAH, the Government of Canada is also providing over two years:

  • $200.1 million to support the construction, repair and adaption of affordable housing for seniors;
  • $89.9 million to support victims of family violence, and the construction and renovation of shelters and transition houses; and
  • $177.7 million to address the housing needs in the North and Inuit communities.

To support $573.9 million for retrofits and renovations of social housing units in Canada, at least $485 million is also provided through the IAH and $82.7 million is delivered by the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

See related speech.

Ontario Minister Ballard and Minister Duclos sign Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement

Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2016/2016-06-21-1000.cfm

Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Rental Housing in Hamilton

Author: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News Bulletin

HAMILTON, ONTARIO, June 17, 2016 — The Governments of Canada and Ontario, along with the City of Hamilton are celebrating the official opening of new affordable rental housing for low-income individuals and families in Hamilton. Rudy Hulst Commons, which opened in late May, provides 47 affordable apartments in Hamilton’s East End.

Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Chris Ballard, Ontario’s Minister of Housing, made the announcement today.

Quick Facts:

  • The Governments of Canada and Ontario contributed more than $5.4 million to Rudy Hulst Commons through the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement (IAH 2011-2014).
  • Municipal contributions and non-governmental funding has provided an additional $2.3 million to the project.
  • Rudy Hulst Commons was developed by Indwell, a Christian charity that creates affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness and belonging.
  • In August 2014, Isaac Neven (son of Indwell Executive Director Jeffrey Neven) biked 800 kms to raise funds for Rudy Hulst Commons.
  • Rudy Hulst Commons is located across the street from another Indwell project, the Dr. John M. Perkins Centre, which received more than $5.4 million from the Governments of Canada and Ontario in 2011 through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The project provides 46 affordable bachelor apartments.

Quotes:

“Our Government is providing Canadians not only with safe, affordable housing, but also with the jobs and opportunities they need, so they can strengthen and contribute to our communities. We are proud to support the creation of these new affordable housing units which will contribute to improve the overall well-being of families in Hamilton.”
Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek

“Our government is committed to ending chronic homelessness. Through partnerships and programs like this one, we’re helping people in need to gain access to affordable housing and a stable place to live.”
Honourable Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale

“I am proud of the commitment from our Provincial and Federal partners to continue to make affordable housing a priority in Hamilton. With a shared sense of purpose and collaborations with organizations like Indwell, we can begin to alleviate housing challenges and ensure everyone in Hamilton has a home.”
Mayor Fred Eisenberger, City of Hamilton

“With over 500 applications from people desperately looking for affordable housing with supports, I’m overjoyed to welcome 52 people in our 47 new apartments. With our head office located in the same building, I’ve been privileged and humbled to hear first-hand stories of survival from our new tenants while they were searching for their permanent home. While we pause to celebrate, we won’t do this long – we’re already transitioning our attention to the others looking for hope and homes.”
Jeffrey Neven, Executive Director, Indwell

Associated Links:

  • CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada’s authority on housing, we contribute to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provide support for Canadians in housing need, and offer unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of our operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.
  • Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2003, the province has committed more than $4 billion in funding for affordable housing, which has helped support more than 20,000 new affordable rental housing units, more than 275,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units and rental and down payment assistance to more than 90,000 households in need. These investments complement the commitments made through our recent Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy update, and support our goal of ending chronic homelessness in 10 years. For more information on Affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing.

Stay Connected:

Media Contacts:

Dean D’Souza
Public Affairs
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
416-250-2760
ddsouza@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Conrad Spezowka
Communications
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-7066
conrad.spezowka@ontario.ca

Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2016/2016-06-017-1000.cfm

Toronto Housing Starts Edge Down in May 2016

Author: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News Bulletin

TORONTO, June 8, 2016 — Housing starts in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) trended lower at 37,324 units in May 2016 compared to 41,634 in April 2016 according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend is a six month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of housing starts.

“Led by slowed construction of new apartments, Toronto housing starts edged down overall in May,” said Dana Senagama, CMHC Principal Market Analyst for the GTA. “Single-detached home starts remain steady, however, as limited resale listings continue to drive buyers to the new home market.” 

CMHC uses the trend measure as a complement to the monthly SAAR of housing starts to account for considerable swings in monthly estimates and obtain a complete picture of the state of the housing market. In some situations, analysing only SAAR data can be misleading in some markets, as they are largely driven by the multiples segment of the markets which can be quite variable from one month to the next.

The standalone monthly SAAR was 33,103 units in May, down from 37,359 units in April. The decrease was mainly as a result of fewer apartment starts.

The City of Toronto recorded the highest number of starts within the Toronto CMA primarily due to higher apartment starts followed by Brampton and Newmarket.

Preliminary Housing Starts data is also available in English and French at the following link: Preliminary Housing Starts Tables

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers objective housing research and information to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry.

For more information, visit our website at www.cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Information on This Release:

Media Contact:
Angelina Ritacco
416-218-3320
Cell: 647-210-7420
aritacco@cmhc.ca

This release is also available at www.cmhc.ca

Additional data is available upon request.

Source: CMHC
1 Census Metropolitan Area
2 The trend is a six-month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR). By removing seasonal ups and downs, seasonal adjustment allows for comparison of adjacent months and quarters. The monthly and quarterly SAAR and trend figures indicate the annual level of starts that would be obtained if the same pace of monthly or quarterly construction activity was maintained for 12 months. This facilitates comparison of the current pace of activity to annual forecasts as well as to historical annual levels.
Detailed data available upon request

Source: CMHC

Source: CMHC

Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2016/2016-06-08-0816b.cfm