Construction Set to Begin on New Affordable Housing in Toronto
Posted by: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News Bulletin
TORONTO, July 3, 2009 — The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto today announced $4.4 million to fund a construction-ready affordable housing development in Toronto.
The funding was made available as a result of a $1.2 billion joint investment under the amended Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which include funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of Ontario. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.
Today’s announcement recognized the successful application by WoodGreen Community Services to build 44 units of affordable housing for single mothers and their children.
Peter Kent, Minister of Sate of Foreign Affairs (Americas), 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) and Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education and Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley West, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, along with City of Toronto Councillor Pam McConnell, Vice-Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, on behalf of Mayor David Miller, made the announcement today.
“This Government is working hard to support Canadians during these challenging economic times and we are moving aggressively to ensure Canada’s Economic Action Plan is implemented rapidly,” said Minister Kent. “With this investment in Toronto, we are making an important difference in the lives of some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens. Low-income families will have access to quality, affordable housing and services to meet their specific needs, while remaining close to their families and friends.”
“New housing initiatives add significant support to the McGuinty government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy,” said MPP Wynne. “This first wave of funding will lead to construction by September and we will continue to work with our municipal partners to ensure more units are built during the life of this program.”
“The City of Toronto is thrilled to be working with WoodGreen Community Housing and our government partners to provide new stable and affordable homes for young mothers in need. Most importantly, this project will give a head start and secure future for the children who will live here, said Councillor Pam McConnell. “Investments in new affordable housing have a significant role to play in powering the economic recovery, while providing new housing opportunities for the people of Toronto.”
The City of Toronto is contributing financially to this development through the waiving of property taxes, development charges and building permit fees.
“WoodGreen is thrilled to be moving forward with our expansion project that will see 44 new units of housing built at Homeward Bound, providing even more single mothers and their children with an opportunity to transition from homelessness to complete economic self-sufficiency,” said Brian Smith, WoodGreen Community Services President and CEO. “We are grateful for the support of the Government of Ontario and CMHC as we bring innovative solutions like Homeward Bound to bear on critical social issues facing Toronto.”
WoodGreen’s ground breaking Homeward Bound program helps single mothers transition from living in a shelter to complete economic self sufficiency by providing affordable housing, subsidized child care, a college education, employment training and a guaranteed job — all under one roof. Homeward Bound’s success has been so profound, WoodGreen is breaking ground to more than double the program’s capacity and provide coordinated services and housing for a total of 76 families on the Homeward Bound campus.
Ontario is moving quickly to implement this new funding with a total of 23 “quick start” projects totaling over $52.2 million — all of 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 more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca.
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.
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.
To City of Toronto participates and delivers the Affordable Housing Program through the city’s Affordable Housing Office. Information on accessing affordable housing opportunities can be found at www.toronto.ca/affordablehousing.
WoodGreen is a leader in social innovation, building on 75 years of creating long-term solutions to the most critical social issues facing our city. Located in Toronto’s east end, WoodGreen is one of our city’s largest social service agencies. Ever year, WoodGreen helps over 37,000 people and families at 20 locations. We create opportunities for Toronto’s most vulnerable to break free of the cycle of poverty.
Media Inquiries:
For more information visit: www.ontario.ca/housing
See Related Speech
The Honourable Peter Kent (2nd from left), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Americas), 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) and Kathleen Wynne (2nd from right), MPP for Don Valley West, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, along with Councillor Pam McConnell (right), Vice-Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, and Brian Smith (left), President and CEO, Woodgreen Community Services, announced $4.4 million to fund a construction-ready project under the amended Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Planand the Government of Ontario in East York, Toronto on July 3, 2009.
Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-07-03-1100.cfm
Tags: Toronto House, Toronto Housing, Toronto Realtor