NORTH BAY, July 18, 2009 — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board today celebrated the opening of 18 new affordable rental units. The project received $360,000 in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and George Jupp, Chair of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board, made the announcement today.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Minister Finley. “With the opening of new units, low-income individuals in North Bay will have access to suitable, affordable housing that will help them start a new page in their lives.”

“Access to affordable, quality housing is very important to Nipissing-area families,” said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith. “I am very proud that the provincial and federal governments have joined together to help build Girard Complex, a true community initiative that will make a positive impact on the lives of many families in our area.”

Today’s announcement recognized the official opening of the Girard Complex, an 18 unit building which will provide affordable housing for low-income individuals in North Bay. The $1.8 million project received $360,000 under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

Girard Complex will receive an annual affordability payment of $10,800 totalling $324,000 for the project, provided entirely by the member municipalities represented on the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board. Funding for the project is complemented by municipal development fee waivers.

“The completion of these 18 affordable rental housing units for families and individuals in North Bay is a wonderful achievement,” said Chair Jupp. “Without the cooperation that the DNSSAB has received from the federal and provincial government, and from the City of North Bay, this project would not have materialized. More importantly, I want to thank Mr. Ron Girard for his commitment to improving the affordable rental housing market in the District of Nipissing.”

The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program 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.

Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding, which increases the number of “quick start” projects to 36 totaling over $70 million and which will improve access to affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities. It will also create jobs and strengthen local economies. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.mah.gov.on.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. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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

Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-07-18-1000.cfm

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