CANADA AND ONTARIO TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOMES IN LONDON

Government of Canada Logo (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Ontario Logo (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

LONDON, ON , Sept. 8, 2023 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, along with the City of London, are providing over $8 million in combined funding to construct 35 new affordable housing units in London, Ontario.

Located at the corner of Richmond Street and York Street, Joan's Place will provide 35 new affordable homes, eight of which will be fully accessible. This project will support young mothers and mothers-to-be who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Being constructed with environmental sustainability in mind, the project will achieve a 73% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and 55% decrease in energy use. The energy efficiency will be addressed in several ways in the design of the building including increased insulation, LED lighting throughout the building, and the use of durable material.

Construction of the project is expected to be completed by Fall 2024.

A breakdown of funding for this project includes:

• $4 million from the Government of Canada through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF);
• $3.9 million from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI);
• $85,745 from the City of London;
• $60,000 in SEED funding.

Quotes:

"Joan's Place will help create 35 new affordable homes in the city of London and help provide a roof over the heads of vulnerable residents. Our government is working closely with all levels of government to ensure that more Canadians have a safe and affordable place they can call home and this $8 million investment is just one way we are delivering on that commitment." – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

"Thanks to today's investment, we are providing new affordable housing units for people who need them most right here in London. By working closely with our partners to create more affordable housing for those in core housing need, the Government of Canada is continuing to deliver meaningful results for those calling Canada home." – Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre

"The National Housing Strategy is working to ensure that no Canadian is left without the essential need of housing being met. With today's announcement of over $4 million toward Joan's Place, we are creating 35 new and affordable homes to support individuals and families here in London." – Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West

"I'm so pleased that our government is able to provide this support, and proud to step into this next chapter as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. This announcement demonstrates our government's continued commitment to help all Ontarians find a home that fits their unique needs. These 35 new affordable units will make a life-changing difference for young mothers, mothers-to-be and their families." – The Honourable Paul Calandra, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

"Today's announcement demonstrates our government's continued focus on supporting vulnerable people in London and all across south-western Ontario, including by ensuring they have access to safe and affordable housing. It also builds on the nearly $8.5 million increase in Homelessness Prevention Program funding provided to London in this year's provincial budget. I'm honoured to take on this new role as Associate Minister of Housing, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact these new homes will have." – The Honourable Rob Flack, Ontario's Associate Minister of Housing and Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin–Middlesex–London

"Today we celebrate another stride towards securing safe and affordable housing for Londoners. This project is a part of an ongoing strategy to address health and homeless within our city. The investment announced today will open the doors to 35 units, providing members of our community with a place they can call home." – Josh Morgan, Mayor, City of London           

"For 7 years, Joan's Place has been under development. The focus groups, community input, generous donations, and funding from each level of government have come together to create a unique model of care that will include deeply affordable supportive housing, and a wide range of programming that will not only help youth and young families find a home but will also help them find paths into abundant, safe and enriching futures.  We are so thankful for the federal, provincial and municipal funding that helped make this possible." – Steve Cordes, CEO, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU)

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is an ambitious 10-year plan that will invest over $82 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home.
  
  
• The National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) is a program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans, and young adults.
  
  
• The Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) is a program under the CMHC-Ontario Bilateral Agreement. This 10-year agreement provides more than $5.78 billion to protect, renew and expand community housing; support Ontario's priorities related to housing repair, construction, and affordability; and deliver direct affordability support to Ontarians who need housing. OPHI provides flexible funding to address local housing priorities and improve access to affordable housing options. The initiative helps to increase the affordable housing supply and improve the state of repair of community housing stock.

Related links:

• Visit canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of Canada housing information.
• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit: www.placetocallhome.ca
• Check out the National Housing Strategy Housing Funding Initiatives Map to see affordable housing projects that have been developed across Canada.
• Ontario's most recent housing supply action plan – Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants – is the latest in a series of steps taken by the province to help more people find a home they can afford.
• Ontario is committed to addressing the housing crisis and has set an ambitious goal of building at least 1.5 million new homes by 2031 and is committing to advancing its housing supply action plan, every year for four years, to help address new challenges, meet unique needs, and adapt to the current environment and future outlook.
• For more information on affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Shiraz Keushgerian, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]; Vonny Sweetland, Associate Minister's Office, [email protected]; MMAH Communications Branch, [email protected]