Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Toronto with YWCA

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

Canada – Ontario

TORONTO, ON, May 22, 2012 — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto joined YWCA Toronto to celebrate the official opening of 300 affordable housing units. The project is supported by $21 million in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The construction of the affordable housing component of the YWCA Elm Centre has created up to 750 jobs in Ontario and helps to meet the housing needs of families and individuals in the Toronto area.

Dr. Kellie Leitch, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, along with Ana Bailão, City of Toronto Councillor, (Ward 18 Davenport), and Heather McGregor, CEO, YWCA Toronto, made the announcement.

“Our government is investing in affordable housing here and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said Dr. Leitch. “By providing affordable and supportive housing in the downtown area, the YWCA Elm Centre is contributing to the economic and social well-being of the entire community.”

“More women will have a place to call home as a result of these units. Providing a safer and stable environment improves the quality of life for women and their families,” said Minister Wynne. “Our government is committed to investing in affordable housing and this project is a positive example of what we can accomplish when all levels of government work together.”

“On behalf of City Council, I want to congratulate YWCA Toronto for creating this mixed-income affordable housing — which is so important to the City,” said Bailão. “The Elm Centre is already making a great contribution to improving the lives of Torontonians — and will continue to do so for many years to come.”

“YWCA Toronto has found that when women have good, affordable housing and the right supports, they can thrive. We are thrilled to be opening the YWCA Elm Centre, one of the largest affordable housing projects in Canada,” said Heather McGregor, YWCA Toronto CEO. “However, 300 units do not begin to address the need. YWCA Toronto is determined to ensure more affordable and supportive housing is built across the city and country.”

The 300-unit project, YWCA Elm Centre, located at 87 Elm Street, received $21 million through a joint investment under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $15.7 million in financial incentives from the City of Toronto.

The YWCA Elm Centre provides 300 affordable apartments for single low-income women, women with children, women living with mental health and addiction issues and families of Aboriginal ancestry. More than $15 million has been raised by YWCA Toronto to help build the YWCA Elm Centre. 

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Ontario, this represents some 237,750 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units. Since 2003, Ontario’s investment in affordable housing 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.

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.

To find out more about the City of Toronto’s affordable housing initiatives, visit www.toronto.ca/affordablehousing.

YWCA Toronto is a social service organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. In addition to being the largest provider of housing options for women and their children in Canada, the YWCA also offers employment and training programs, community support programs, girls’ programs and family programs. To find out more about YWCA Toronto and the YWCA Elm Centre, visit www.elmcentre.ca.

Media contacts:

Leslie Pawlowski
CMHC
416-250-3297

Kelly Baker
Office of Minister Wynne
416-585-6842

Marian Ngo
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Gil Hardy
City of Toronto
416-397-4701

Lise Schofield
YWCA Toronto
416-660-9483

For more information visit:  

www.ontario.ca/housing
www.toronto.ca/affordablehousing
www.elmcentre.ca

See related speech

Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2012/2012-05-22-1000.cfm

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