E.B.Dungey Realty Ltd. Brokerage

ONTARIO, December 21, 2017 — The Governments of Canada and Ontario have announced more than $7 million to help survivors of human trafficking in Ontario through new transitional housing and rent assistance. This will help ensure that survivors have a safe place to live while they access services and supports to help them heal from trauma and rebuild their lives.

This funding will be delivered through the joint federal-provincial Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement. It will allow for partners and community agencies receiving funding through Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Community Supports Fund and Indigenous-led Initiatives Fund to help survivors of human trafficking access safe housing. For example:

• The City of Toronto, in partnership with Covenant House, will create a transition home for women and girls, with comprehensive, on-site services such as mental health and addictions treatment, education, legal and income supports.
• Survivors of human trafficking will be able to get help paying rent while they also receive culturally respectful wraparound supports from Native Women’s Inc. Hamilton Wentworth.
• Centre Passerelle pour femmes du Nord de l’Ontario will help French-speaking survivors of human trafficking access rent assistance in addition to providing transitional supports such as legal assistance, counselling and other services.
• Sexual Assault Survivors’ Centre Sarnia Lambton will help survivors access rent assistance while also offering targeted supports through a dedicated human trafficking worker and enhanced coordination through a community response protocol.

Quick facts:

• The following organizations are approved for funding to create a residence or transition home for survivors of human trafficking:
• Huronia Transition Homes (Midland) — $600,000
• City of Toronto (Toronto) — $885,000.
• The following organizations are approved for funding to help survivors of human trafficking pay their rent:
• Sexual Assault Violence Intervention Services of Halton (Halton) — $413,910
• Native Women’s Inc. Hamilton Wentworth (Hamilton) — $188,000
• Addiction Services of Thames Valley (London) — $209,760
• London Abused Women’s Centre (London) — $393,750
• Huronia Transition Homes (Midland) — $226,800
• A New Day Youth and Adult Services (Ottawa) — $79,350
• Voice Found (Ottawa) — $478,800
• Sexual Assault Survivors’ Centre Sarnia Lambton (Sarnia) — $236,250
• Centre Passerelle pour femmes du Nord de l’Ontario (Timmins) — $409,500
• City of Toronto (Toronto) — $297,750
• East Metro Youth Services (Toronto) — $598,500
• FCJ Refugee Centre (Toronto) — $75,180
• Native Child and Family Services Toronto (Toronto) — $411,075
• Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo (Kitchener-Waterloo) — $171,160
• Legal Assistance of Windsor (Windsor) — $598,500
• Women’s Support Network of York Region (York) — $393,120
• 360˚ Kids (York) — $378,000

• On September 28, 2017, Ontario announced $18.6 million in program funding for 45 projects that focus on prevention and improving services and supports for survivors of human trafficking, through the Community Supports Fund and Indigenous-led Initiatives Fund. Today’s funding announcement will provide further support to many of those projects.
• Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy is a 10-year, $40-billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home. Under the National Housing Strategy, the federal government will recognize and progressively implement every Canadian’s right to access housing that meets their needs and that they can afford.
• Through the IAH, the Government of Canada is also providing to Ontario over two years:

• More than $67 million to support the construction, repair and adaptation of affordable housing for seniors;
• Close to $28 million to support the construction and renovation of shelters and transition houses for victims of family violence;
• More than $209 million to help address the increasing demand for repairs as social housing units age, and to improve efficiency and reduce energy and water use

Quotes:

“The peace of mind that comes with having a secure and stable home is invaluable. These investments demonstrate our Government’s commitment toward ensuring that survivors of human trafficking are able to enjoy a safe and stable environment.”
—
Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

“Ontario is committed to working with survivors, and with communities and agencies that provide critical supports to those who have been trafficked. It is so vital that survivors of human trafficking have access to the services they need, including housing so that they can heal from the trauma after leaving a life of violence and exploitation.”
—
Dr. Helena Jaczek, Ontario’s Minister of Community and Social Services

Associated links:

• As Canada’s authority on housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Ontario’s Strategy to End Human Trafficking includes an investment of up to $72 million to increase awareness and coordination, enhance justice-sector initiatives and improve survivors’ access to services. The strategy is part of the Ontario government’s vision to ensure that everyone in the province can live in safety, free from the threat, fear or experience of exploitation and violence. For more information, follow us on Twitter and read the First-year Progress Report of Ontario’s Strategy to End Human Trafficking.

Media contacts:

Émilie Gauduchon
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Duclos
819-654-5546
emilie.gauduchon@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Wilbur McLean
Public Affairs
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
416-218-3331
wmclean@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Lyndsay Miller
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Jaczek
416-325-5450
lyndsay.miller@ontario.ca

Gavin Halford
Communications
Ministry of Community and Social Services
416-325-0216
gavin.halford@ontario.ca

Article source: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2017/2017-12-21-0900.cfm

TORONTO, December 5, 2017 — Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that TREB Commercial Network Members reported over 378,000 square feet of combined industrial, commercial/retail and office space leased through TREB’s MLS® System in November 2017.  This result was up by almost 30 per cent compared to November 2016.

Over 70 per cent of leased space was accounted for by the industrial market segment, followed by the commercial/retail and office market segments respectively.

Average lease rates for properties transacted on a per square foot net basis with pricing disclosed were up for all three major market segments. Market conditions are one factor influencing changes in lease rates.  Another factor is the change in the type, size and location of lease transactions over time.  Both of these factors likely played into the year-over-year lease rate increases.

“It was positive news that the amount of space leased in November was up compared to last year.  However, it is important to point out that we do see volatility in the number and size of transactions from month to month.  Over the longer term, demand for commercial space is driven by the prospects for economic growth.  Right now the Canadian economy, and southern Ontario therein, is performing very well from a global perspective.  It makes sense that we would see strong demand for commercial space moving forward, both from existing firms in the GTA and firms who are looking to locate in our diverse economic region,” said Mr. Syrianos.

Total industrial, commercial/retail and office sales reported through TREB’s MLS® System amounted to 50 – down from 55 reported in November 2016.  The mix of sale transactions for the industrial and office segments changed notably between November 2016 and November 2017.  This was the main factor underlying the large annual changes in lease rates for these market segments, rather than a shift in market conditions.

Article source: http://trebhome.com/market_news/release_market_updates/news2017/nr_comm_watch_1117.htm

Plan calls for significant investments in affordable units and repairs to existing units

WINDSOR, ONTARIO, December 1, 2017 — All Canadians need and deserve housing that is safe and affordable. A home makes Canadians feel more secure, making it easier to raise healthy children, pursue an education, and gain employment.

Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs), today shared details of the 10-year, $40 billion National Housing Strategy that will help reduce homelessness and improve the availability and quality of housing for Canadians in need.

Across Canada, 1.7 million Canadians are in core housing need. To help address this, the Strategy has set bold goals including:

• reducing chronic homelessness by 50 per cent;
• removing more than 530,000 households from housing need;
• creating four times as many new housing units as built under federal programs from 2005 to 2015;  
• repairing three times as many existing housing units as repaired under federal programs from 2005 to 2015; and
• protecting an additional 385,000 households from losing an affordable place to live.

The National Housing Strategy is meeting the needs of Canadians, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, survivors of family violence, people with disabilities, refugees, veterans, and those grappling with homelessness. It will promote diverse communities and encourage the construction of homes that are sustainable, accessible, mixed-income, mixed-use, and located near transit, work, and public services. In response to calls from housing advocates, service providers and feminist leaders, the Strategy commits to ensuring that at least 25% of funds go to projects for women, girls and their families.

This Strategy – built by and for Canadians – sets a long-term vision for housing in Canada with unprecedented investments and new programs that will deliver real results for Canadians working hard to improve their quality of life.

This Strategy will focus on the needs of the most vulnerable through a human-rights-based approach to housing. Within the next year, legislation will be introduced obligating the federal government to maintain a National Housing Strategy and report to Parliament on housing targets and outcomes.

The federal government will work with provinces and territories to develop a $4 billion Canada Housing Benefit to be launched in 2020 to respond to local housing needs and priorities. This will be a significant new tool to address challenges of housing affordability in communities across the country. It will provide an estimated average of $2,500 per year to each household recipient, assisting at least 300,000 families when fully implemented. The benefit be delivered directly to households as a portable benefit they can use to help with the costs of housing.

Quotes:

“Our Government is establishing a federal leadership role in housing. The National Housing Strategy will create a new generation of housing in Canada. It will promote diverse communities and will build housing that is sustainable, accessible, mixed-income and mixed-use that will be located near transit, work and public services.”
—
Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

“The National Housing Strategy will create opportunities to collaborate and foster innovation with more partners than ever before, between the federal government and provinces and territories, municipalities, the community housing, non-profit and co-operative sectors, and the private sector to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.”
—
Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs)

Quick facts:

• The National Housing Strategy – Canada’s first ever – was developed through consultations with Canadians from all walks of life: people who have experienced barriers to good housing, experts, stakeholders, think tanks, as well as provinces and territories and municipalities.
• Over the next 10 years, the Strategy – which will be in part funded jointly by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments – will help reduce homelessness and the number of families living in housing need, and will help strengthen the middle class.
• Investment under the National Housing Strategy includes:
• $15.9-billion for a new National Housing Co-Investment Fund
• $8.6-billion for a new Canada Community Housing Initiative in partnership with provinces and territories, and $500 million through a new Federal Community Housing Initiative
• $4-billion for a new Canada Housing Benefit to be launched in 2020 in partnership with provinces and territories
• $2.2-billion to reduce homelessness
• $300-million in additional federal funding to address housing needs in Canada’s North.
• $241-million for research, data and demonstrations.
• In recognition of the significant amount of new housing units to be built and repaired through the federal Co-Investment Fund, the Strategy also includes ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure accessibility in building design.
• The Government of Canada is also working with Indigenous leaders to co-develop distinctions-based housing strategies with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation that will be founded on the principles of self-determination, reconciliation, respect, and cooperation.

Associated links:

• Placetocallhome.ca
• Budget 2017: Building a strong middle class

Media contacts:

Émilie Gauduchon
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Duclos
613-404-2941
Emilie.Gauduchon@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Audrey-Anne Coulombe
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
613-748-2573
acoulomb@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Backgrounder

Canada’s National Housing Strategy

The National Housing Strategy is a part of a long-term vision to strengthen the middle class, promote sustainable growth for Canadians, and lift more Canadians out of poverty.

The Strategy – funded through new and existing programs – follows a human rights-based approach, and includes a National Housing Co-Investment Fund, community housing initiatives, and the Canada Housing Benefit.

A human rights-based approach to housing

Canadians deserve safe and affordable housing.

The National Housing Strategy will help address a range of housing needs, from shelters and community housing, to affordable rental and homeownership. It will promote:

• Accountability
• New legislation that promotes a human rights-based approach to housing and prioritizes the housing needs of Canada’s most vulnerable
• A federal housing advocate to advise and identify actions to address systemic barriers faced by vulnerable groups

• Participation and inclusion
• A National Housing Council with a diverse membership that will provide advice to CMHC and the responsible Minister
• A Community-Based Tenant Initiative that will support grassroots organizations by providing information and resources to tenants facing barriers in accessing community and affordable housing
• A public engagement campaign to highlight the benefits of inclusive communities and housing to begin in 2020

National Housing Co-Investment Fund

The National Housing Co-Investment Fund will provide $15.9 billion – including $4.7 billion in contributions and $11.2 billion in low interest loans – to repair existing rental housing and develop new affordable housing. The Fund is expected to create up to 60,000 new homes and repair up to 240,000 existing community homes.

The Fund will involve partnerships with – and investments from – the provinces and territories, municipalities, non-profits, co-operatives, and the private-sector. It will provide:

• More shelter spaces for survivors of violence
• Transitional and supportive housing for those in need
• New and repaired affordable and community housing
• Help to make homeownership more affordable for modest income earners

The Fund will also support Canada’s climate change goals, promote technologies that decrease the impact of housing on the environment, and improve the accessibility of housing for people with disabilities.

To encourage the development of sustainable, accessible, mixed-income, and mixed-use developments and to maximize the impact of this Fund, the Government of Canada will transfer up to $200 million in federal lands to housing providers. Funding will also be provided for environmental remediation, renovations, or retrofits to ensure surplus federal buildings are suitable for use as housing.

Canada Housing Benefit

The federal government will invite provinces and territories to partner on a jointly funded $4-billion Canada Housing Benefit.

To be launched in 2020, the Canada Housing Benefit will provide affordability support directly to families and individuals in housing need, including those currently living in social housing, those on a social housing wait-list and those housed in the private market but struggling to make ends meet.

The Government estimates that the Canada Housing Benefit will deliver an average of $2,500 per year to each recipient household. Over time, the Canada Housing Benefit will grow to support at least 300,000 households across the country.

Article source: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2017/2017-12-01-0915.cfm