Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in St. Thomas

November 20, 2009

ST. THOMAS, ON – The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of St.Thomas celebrated the start of construction of 12 affordable rental units in two housing developments. The developments are supported by over $924,000 in funding through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. 

Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin—Middlesex—London, 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 Steve Peters, Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London on behalf of the Government of Ontario; along with Cliff Barwick, Mayor of St.Thomas, made the announcement. 

“This is great news for families in St.Thomas,” said MP Preston. “These new apartments will provide suitable, affordable housing for deserving families, and create jobs in our community.”

“New housing initiatives add significant support to the provincial government’s efforts to reduce poverty,” said MPP Peters.  “The Government of Ontario will continue to work with its federal and municipal partners to ensure new affordable housing units are built during the life of this program.”

Today’s announcement recognized two affordable housing projects funded through the two-year extension of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program:

• Funding of $480,000 for a six-unit affordable housing project for low-income households at 89 ½ Fairview Avenue.
• Funding of $444,000 for a six-unit affordable housing project for low-income households at 5 Park Avenue.

"The City of St. Thomas is very grateful to the federal and provincial governments for providing financial assistance under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program," said Mayor Cliff Barwick. "This new apartment building will provide much-needed affordable housing for twelve families in the community."

The Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government.  In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.

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.  Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement.  The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.

Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding with a total of 39 quick start projects totaling over $76.5 million, 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.

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.