CANADA ANNOUNCES RAPID HOUSING INITIATIVE FUNDING FOR THE HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY

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

HALIFAX, NS, July 10, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, accompanied by Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors, and Mayor Michael Savage, Mayor of Halifax, announced just over $11 million in funding for the Halifax Regional Municipality, one of the 41 recipients of the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative's (RHI) City Stream. This investment is set to help create a minimum of 36 new units for vulnerable population groups.

This is made possible by the Government of Canada's additional investment of $1.5 billion through the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), bringing the program's total to $4 billion to support the country's most vulnerable. This investment is also expected to create at least 4,500 more affordable housing units for Canadians in severe housing need across the country, with 25% of investments going towards women-focused housing projects.

RHI provides funding to facilitate the rapid construction of new housing and the acquisition of existing buildings for the purpose of rehabilitation or conversion to permanent affordable housing units. The additional funding for the third round of RHI will be divided into two streams: $1 billion through the Projects Stream and $500 million towards the Cities Stream. 

Quotes:

"Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through the Rapid Housing Initiative, we are quickly providing new affordable housing units for people who need them most, right across Canada, including right here in Halifax. By working closely with our partners to create more affordable housing that meets the needs of Canadians, our government is continuing to deliver meaningful results for Canadians. This is one of the many ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind." –  The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

"Today's announcement will go a long way to support those in our community who need it most. For Halifax's most vulnerable, these new affordable homes will not only be safe and affordable places to live, but they are also the key to a better life for the residents who will call them home. This is our government's National Housing Strategy at work."  – Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax

"Creating homes to address the housing crisis is a priority for the Halifax Regional Municipality. This investment will continue to help Canadians access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs, while also creating jobs for the local economy, here in Halifax. Our government remains committed to working with our partners to develop and implement solutions to housing both in Halifax and across Canada.'' – Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West

"Everyone deserves a safe place to live — this isn't just a platitude for our Government — we continue to partner with all orders of government and good stakeholders to build as many affordable homes as we can. The Rapid Housing Initiative is already making a positive difference in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour and across the municipality, and I know that round 3 will bring more homes and good opportunities for folks in our communities." – Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole-Harbour and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors

"With access to programs like RHI, cities like Halifax can play a vital role in planning and building communities for all. The RHI program is testament to what can happen when all orders of government and social agencies join in common purpose to build much-needed affordable homes and address the housing crisis." – Michael Savage, Mayor of Halifax

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is an ambitious, 10-year plan that will invest more than $82+ billion to give more Canadians a place to call home.
• Launched in 2020, the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), under the NHS.
• The first two rounds of the RHI exceeded expectations and are expected to create more than 10,000 units instead of the 7,500 initially planned. This includes more than 3,300 units to support women and more than 4,200 units to support Indigenous Peoples.
• The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the NHS, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, veterans, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, racialized groups, and recent immigrants or refugees.

Related links:

• For more information on RHI3 and eligibility criteria, visit cmhc.ca.
• 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.
• For more information on Government of Canada housing initiatives: Housing Canada.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Shiraz Keushgerian, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]