Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Durham Region
Posted by: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News Bulletin, Today's Mortgage Rates, Toronto Real Estate, Toronto Realtor
AJAX, ON, March 17, 2011 — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Regional Municipality of Durham and the Town of Ajax celebrated the official opening of 82 affordable housing rental units today. The project is supported by more than $5.7 million in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Oshawa, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); Joe Dickson Member of Provincial Parliament for Ajax-Pickering, on behalf of the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; along with Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer Roger Anderson; Town of Ajax Mayor Steve Parish; Township of Brock Mayor Larry O’Connor, Chair of the Health and Social Services Committee; and President Oliver Forbes of Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation Board, made the announcement.
“The opening of Hubbard Station is great news for those who need a hand-up, and for Ajax itself,” said MP Carrie. “By providing more rental options for low-income households and people with special needs, these new apartments will contribute to the economic and social well-being of the entire community.”
“We are providing safe, affordable, and accessible housing for people in our community who need it the most,” said MPP Dickson. “As part of our Open Ontario plan, construction of these new units will stimulate the local economy by providing jobs and supporting local businesses. This project will make a positive difference in the lives of many people right here in Ajax.”
“Today’s event is a celebration of affordable housing in Durham Region,” stated Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer Roger Anderson. “Hubbard Station is the largest affordable housing development built in our region in more than 10 years. We remain committed to ensuring that residents have access to safe and affordable housing, and will continue to work in co-operation with our municipal, provincial and federal partners.”
“I would like to thank the Governments of Canada and Ontario for their partnership and support in bringing much-needed affordable housing to Ajax,“ said Mayor Parish. “Working together, we are making Ajax a more liveable Town for all of our residents.“
The 82 units, part of an 84-unit project is located at 50 Station Street in Ajax. The project received more than $5.7 million through a joint investment under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $407,000 in municipal financial incentives. In addition, Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation will pay reduced property taxes over the next 20 years.
In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to 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. Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP) builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing and plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. 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.
In 2009, Ontario allocated a combined federal and provincial investment of $704 million for the renovation of social housing, and $540 million for the creation of new affordable housing. The provincial investment is part of the Open Ontario plan, and is creating an estimated 23,000 jobs, while strengthening local economies across the province. Ontario’s investment will result in the repair of more than 185,000 social housing units, while creating more than 6,400 new affordable housing units for low-income families, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. As well, the province has made available $70 million for the use of renewable energy technologies to improve energy efficiency in social housing as part of its Green Energy Strategy.
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.
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.
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For more information visit: www.ontario.ca/housing
See related speech
(L to R:) Oliver Forbes, President Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation Board; Joe Dickson MPP for Ajax-Pickering; Steve Parish, Town of Ajax Mayor; Roger Anderson, Durham Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer; Mrs. Evelyn Hubbard; Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and MP for Oshawa, Larry O’Connor, Township of Brock Mayor and Chair of the Health and Social Services Committee cut the ribbon to officially open Hubbard Station in Ajax, Ontario.
Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2011/2011-03-17-1000.cfm
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