Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Port Hope

Posted by: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News Bulletin

Canada’s Economic Action Plan

PORT HOPE, ONTARIO, June 24, 2011 — The official opening of 24 new affordable rental housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities was held today in Port Hope. The project received more than $2.4 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. In addition, Northumberland County received more than $3.1 million over the last two years for the repair of 992 units of existing social housing.

Rick Norlock, Member of Parliament for Northumberland-Quinte West, 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 Lou Rinaldi, Member of Provincial Parliament for Northumberland – Quinte West, on behalf of the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, along with Mark Lovshin, Warden of Northumberland County, and Linda Thompson, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope, made the announcement.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most, including low-income seniors,” said MP Norlock. “Funding projects like this one will not only improve the quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable, but it will also help stimulate the local economy and create the conditions for long-term growth.”

“This project in Port Hope will give families, seniors and people on low income an affordable place to call home,” said MPP Rinaldi. “This project also creates local jobs and economic opportunities for people in this county. We will continue to improve social housing and access to new affordable housing going forward.”

“I am thrilled that Northumberland County Council and our housing department were part of this exciting development,” said Mark Lovshin, Warden of Northumberland County. “We are very appreciative to our federal and provincial partners. Northumberland Cares is the theme for all community and social programs provided by the County, and that motto is clearly reflected in this project.  It is important to recognize the quality work done by the developer — TVM Group; they understand the principles behind excellent design and accessibility.”

“The Municipality has supported the Dr. Powers project from the very beginning,” said Linda Thompson, Mayor of Port Hope. “This adaptive reuse of one of our prominent buildings for affordable housing is an excellent example of how we can preserve our built heritage to the benefit of the community at large. Seniors and those with disabilities are among our most vulnerable populations and this housing initiative is a very worthwhile endeavour that Port Hope is proud to be a part of.”

TVM Doctor Powers Residences, a 24-unit project located at 64 Ward Street, received more than $2.4 million. The building, formerly Dr. L.B. Powers School, was converted to provide affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities in the community. 

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 $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities and $850 million over two years for the renovation and retrofit of existing provincially/territorially administered social housing. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost 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 five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. As part of this commitment the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) was extended for two years. This results in a total $1.25 billion federal investment toward the creation of affordable housing since the inception of the AHI. For Ontario, this represents a joint investment of more than $907 million under the AHI and $1.1 billion under CEAP toward affordable housing by both levels of government.

Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2009, the provincial government has provided nearly $183 million to build new rental housing units for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Ontario’s overall investment of over $2.5 billion has translated into the construction and repair of more than 270,000 housing units and the provision of 35,000 rent supplements for Ontario families on fixed incomes. 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.

More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan can be found at www.actionplan.gc.ca. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

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For more information visit: www.ontario.ca/housing

Backgrounder

Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2011/2011-06-24-1000.cfm

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