Nov 19 2012
The official opening of 23 new affordable rental housing units for people with disabilities was held today in Port Colborne. The project received more than $2.1 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. The construction of this project has created up to 50 jobs in Ontario and helps to meet the housing needs of people with disabilities in the Niagara area.
Dean Allison, Member of Parliament for Niagara West-Glanbrook, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Jim Bradley, Member of Provincial Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, along with Gary Burroughs, Regional Chair, Regional Municipality of Niagara, and Vance Badawey, Mayor of Port Colborne, made the announcement.
"Our Government is providing a hand-up to those who need it most here in Port Colborne and in all corners of the country," said MP Allison. "We are committed to making communities stronger through projects like this one. These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing more access to safe, affordable homes for persons with disabilities."
"This project is another example of our government's commitment to providing safe and affordable housing to those who need it most," said MPP Bradley. "We know that affordable housing projects like this help the residents and the entire community as well."
"Ensuring that all of Niagara's residents, including those dealing with mental illness, are granted equal access to affordable, safe, and accessible housing is a key priority of our community", said Regional Chair Gary Burroughs. "Not only will these 23 new affordable housing units bring stability and support to the lives and families of the new inhabitants of the building, they will serve to further strengthen and grow our communities. Congratulations to the Gateway Residential and Community Support Services of Niagara, and all those who made this much-needed affordable housing project a reality."
"The City of Port Colborne was excited to see the conversion of this building into 23 new affordable housing units," said Mayor Badawey. "Gateway Residential and Community Support Services of Niagara have a proven track record for providing housing for those in need. We congratulate those involved in this true community partnership."
The 23-unit project located at 569-573 King Street received more than $2.1 million in federal and provincial funding for the construction of 20 units. The remaining three units were funded by support from Niagara Regional Housing and private sector contributions.
"As Niagara Regional Housing celebrates its 10th Anniversary, affordable housing continues to dominate as a high priority for this Region," said Karen Murray, Chair of Niagara Regional Housing. "Congratulations to Gateway Residential and Community Support Services of Niagara on the new 23-unit apartment building for persons with mental illness and for increasing the stock of affordable housing in Niagara."
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $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 almost 238,000 households. These investments are improving 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.
Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2009, the provincial government has provided nearly $183 million to build new rental housing units for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Since 2003, Ontario's funding commitment of nearly $3 billion is the largest affordable housing program in the province's history. Ontario is supporting the creation of over 17,000 affordable rental housing units; making more than 263,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units; and providing rental and down payment assistance to over 81,000 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.