TORONTO, March 20 /CNW/ - The Association of Municipalities of Ontario
(AMO) welcomes today's announcement by Premier McGuinty that the Government of
Ontario would match new federal housing investments included in the 2009
Federal Budget. The combined Federal and Provincial investment will equal $1.2
billion over two years.
"This $1.2 billion investment in housing will provide greater access to
affordable housing, improve the quality and energy efficiency of social
housing, and create jobs in every part of Ontario," said Peter Hume, President
of AMO.
The combined Federal and Provincial funding is expected to renovate
50,000 social housing units and build 4,500 new affordable housing units. The
Provincial and Federal governments will each invest:- $352 million to repair social housing units and make them more energy
efficient,
- $185 million to create new affordable housing for low-income seniors
and persons with disabilities, and
- $87.5 million to extend the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program."AMO is committed to working with the Province to ensure these
investments are delivered quickly to improve housing and create jobs in all
areas of the province," said Hume. "Today's announcement underscores the
importance of Federal and Provincial funding for housing."
The Premier also said the Province is proposing to increase the new
Ontario Child Benefit to maximum of $1,100 per child per year in July, from
$600. The Child Benefit is funded 100 per cent by the Province.
AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444
municipal governments. AMO supports strong and effective municipal government
in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and
essential component of Ontario and Canada's political system.
For further information: Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact, (416)
729-5425
