OTTAWA, ONTARIO, February 6, 2015 — The governments of Canada and Ontario celebrated the official opening of 140 Den Haag Drive in Ottawa today. The construction of this new rental housing property has supported economic growth and helped create 185 jobs in Ontario while helping meet the housing needs of low-income individuals and families, and people with disabilities in Ottawa.

Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development); the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, on behalf of the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, made the announcement today.

“I am delighted to celebrate the opening of this apartment complex today,” said MP Galipeau. “Because of our Government’s smart investments, more affordable rental options are available to families and individuals, and this is great news for our community.”

“A home provides a stable foundation that can help people rise out of poverty. Our government is committed to helping prevent and reduce poverty in Ontario”, said Madeleine Meilleur, MPP for Ottawa-Vanier. “Projects like this make a meaningful difference in the community by improving access to suitable and affordable housing for our most vulnerable residents.”

The $8.23 million investment provided by the federal and provincial governments has been used to create 74 new rental housing units at 140 Den Haag Drive. The building also houses the administrative offices for Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) Non-Profit Housing. The affordable rental project consists of an eight-storey apartment building offering 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, and ten 4-bedroom townhouses on either side of the building with individual street entrances. All tenants have access to a roof garden located on the third floor, as well as on-site laundry facilities with card-operated machines and a bicycle room on the ground floor. The building also features four stories of photovoltaic solar panels on the south-facing facade, as well as a sedum green roof.

As part of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI) made the surplus federal real properties available to the City of Ottawa for housing and housing support services to help stabilize the living arrangements of those at risk of becoming homeless. The investment is complemented by $2.8 million in municipal grants, land contribution and waived charges from the City of Ottawa. “This new housing property is a prime example of how we are making a difference in the lives of those who need it the most,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “With this building, we are providing large families with homes that meet their space requirements and we are reducing their wait times for access to much-needed housing. The City’s Ten-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan will continue to make investments in our community that help our most vulnerable residents in the years to come.”

This funding comes as a result of the $481 million Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Ontario.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) invests approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour.

Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2003, Ontario’s funding commitment of more than $4 billion – which includes extending the Investment in Affordable Housing Program – is the largest affordable housing program in the province’s history. Ontario is supporting the creation of more than 20,000 affordable rental housing units; making more than 275,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units; and, providing rental and down payment assistance to more than 90,000 households in need. The province’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy sets a strong foundation for a more efficient, accessible affordable housing system in Ontario.

Supporting affordable housing is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.

Affordable housing is a key component of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.ontario.ca/housing.

For more information about affordable housing in Ottawa, visit http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/social-services/homelessness-and-affordable-housing.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642.

Media contacts:

Dean D’Souza
Public Affairs Central
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
416-250-2760

Mark Cripps
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-6842

Media Contact
City of Ottawa
613-580-2450

Conrad Spezowka
Communications
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-7066

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Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2015/2015-02-06-0900.cfm

Tags: Toronto House, Toronto Housing, Toronto Realtor

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