Converted Church Provides Affordable Housing in Woodstock
Posted by: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News BulletinWOODSTOCK, July 15, 2009 — Southern Ontario Affordable Housing Inc. celebrated the opening of a 16-unit affordable housing conversion project today. Originally a mid-twentieth century church, the complex will provide affordable housing for low-income individuals in Woodstock.
Dave MacKenzie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Oxford, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), attended the event.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most, ” said Mr. MacKenzie. “These renovations will provide low-income individuals access to suitable, affordable housing here in Woodstock.”
The federal government provided $384,000 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) — Conversion to help renovate the church. This program provides financial assistance for the creation of affordable housing for low-income households by the conversion of non-residential properties into affordable, self-contained rental housing units. The project also received an interest-free proposal development loan (PDF) of $63,000 and $10,000 of SEED grant funding through CMHC.
The 16 one-bedroom units have been carefully constructed to ensure that the original Canadian neo-gothic architecture of the former All Saints Anglican Church was preserved. Apart from being the recipients of such a unique affordable housing project, residents will also be conveniently located near all city amenities.
“We are so fortunate that CMHC and the municipal and county governments have come together to provide inducement programs for the private sector to create affordable housing”, said Howard Rotberg, Southern Ontario Affordable Housing Inc. “We are also grateful that All Saints Anglican Church will continue to exist for an important use, far into the future.”
Southern Ontario Affordable Housing Inc. is a joint venture between two experienced parties in the development and construction of affordable housing in Southern Ontario. Howard Rotberg has developed affordable housing projects in Brantford and Kitchener, and builder Dalip Multani has built affordable apartment buildings in Brantford and Cambridge.
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 to build new and existing social housing, and lending up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
As Canada’s national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) draws on over 60 years of experience to help Canadian access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes- homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country. For more information, call 1-800-668-2642.
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Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-07-15-1100.cfm
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