Six affordable housing projects open in Region of Waterloo

    KITCHENER, ON, May 25 /CNW/ - Canada's New Government, the Government of
Ontario, and the Region of Waterloo celebrated the official opening of six new
affordable housing projects in Waterloo Region, which will create a total of
82 units of affordable housing under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing
Program.
    The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social
Development; John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the
Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and
Waterloo Regional Chair Ken Seiling, attended the ceremony.
    "Canada's New Government is working to ensure funding is available for
projects like these to address the need for affordable housing in communities
across the country," said Minister Solberg. "We are pleased to be working with
our partners in both the public and private sector to help those individuals,
seniors and families in Waterloo that are working towards building a better
and stronger future."
    "The McGuinty government believes that every person in this province has
the right to safe, healthy, affordable shelter, and that affordable housing
should be part of the fabric of every community," said MPP Milloy. "These six
projects create new affordable housing opportunities for some of the most
vulnerable households in Waterloo Region, and help to ensure they can live
with dignity in our community."The six projects received more than $3.24 million from the Canada-Ontario
Affordable Housing Program, including:

    -   $154,000 for seven units at 1215 Queensbush Road in Wellesley,
        developed by Hunke Homes Ltd.

    -   $270,000 for eight units for seniors at 99 Stanley Street in Ayr,
        developed by Lena Melnychuk.

    -   $2.1 million for 50 units at 1420 King Street in Kitchener, developed
        by MennoHomes Inc.

    -   $420,000 for six units at 84 Frederick Street in Kitchener, developed
        by the YWCA K-W.

    -   $150,000 for five units at 66 Queen Street in Kitchener, developed by
        K-W Working Centre for the Unemployed.

    -   $75,000 for three units at 31 Avon Road in Kitchener developed by
        L.M. Kovacevic Inc., and $75,000 for three units at 35 Avon Road in
        Kitchener developed by M.D. Kovacevic Inc."Secure and affordable housing is such a basic need for many in this
community and the Region of Waterloo has been a leader in Ontario in funding,
promoting and facilitating affordable housing projects," said Regional Chair
Ken Seiling. "Working with our dedicated community partners - including the
six we are celebrating today - we have together successfully developed 1,200 
units of affordable housing in Waterloo Region since 2001."
    Today's federal and provincial allocation will be complemented by more
than $1.2 million over 20 years in municipal financial incentives.

    The new 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
20,000 households in Ontario.Disponible en français

    For more information visit: http://www.cmhc.ca/
                                www.mah.gov.on.ca

For further information: Media contacts: Pema Lhalungpa, Office of the
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, [phone]; Patti
Munce, Minister Gerretsen's Office, [phone]; Keith Lucas, Region of
Waterloo, [phone]; Susan Bacque, Affordable housing inquiries, (416)
585-7021; Kathie Howes, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, (647)
225-3730