Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, 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 Carol Mitchell, Member of Provincial Parliament for Huron-Bruce, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, today announced $4.8 million to fund an affordable housing project for seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities.
Today's announcement today celebrated the opening of 37 new affordable rental units and the allocation of funds for an additional 23 units. Both phases of the project are sponsored by the Owen Sound Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation, providing affordable housing for seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities in Owen Sound.
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 includes 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.
The Government of Canada wants to ensure that Canadians on fixed incomes can live with independence and dignity and remain in their communities, close to family and friends. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding, which increases the number of "quick start" projects to 39 totaling over $76.5 million and 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 out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca.
More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan can be found at http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/. 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.