Federal Government Invests in 691 New Homes in Ontario

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

THUNDER BAY, ON, Nov. 18, 2024 /CNW/ - The federal government is providing $262.2 million to help build 691 new homes in northern and Indigenous communities in Ontario.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

It took place at the North End Community Centre, located in Thunder Bay next door to the 1040 Huron Avenue project, which received $4.8 million to build 24 one-bedroom apartments and will be operated by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS). This project will feature a "for Indigenous, by Indigenous" approach to transitional housing. The homes are near local schools, parks, and public transit.

A detailed list of all the projects that received funding is provided in an appendix to this release.

Quotes:

"Everyone deserves a place to call their own, and the Affordable Housing Fund and Rapid Housing Initiative are two programs through which we're helping make that a reality for Canadians. We will keep investing in housing projects like the ones announced today for Ontario, and working with partners across the country, to end the housing crisis." – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

"Through programs like the Rapid Housing Initiative and the Affordable Housing Fund, we're helping Canadians secure their right to a home they can call their own. The new homes announced for Northern Ontario are a great example of how we're unlocking the potential to transform lives and communities. Together, we are building a future where every generation has a safe, secure place to call home." - The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Quick Facts:

• The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10+ year, $115+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives is updated quarterly at www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing Funding Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
  • As of September 2024, the federal government has committed $57.57 billion to support the creation of over 156,000 units and the repair of over 297,000 units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
• The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partner organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community housing. This is a $14.6 billion 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.
  • As of September 2024, the Government of Canada has committed $10.34 billion to support the creation of over 40,000 units and the repair of over 166,000 units through the Affordable Housing Fund.
  • Budget 2024 announced enhancements to the AHF which includes the program being extended from 2025-26 to 2028-2029. The existing New Construction Stream is now divided into two dedicated sub-streams: a Rapid Housing Sub-Stream for the creation of shelters, supportive and transitional housing for those in greatest need, and a dedicated Community Housing Sub-Stream to support affordable and mixed-market housing where there are both affordable and market rent units in a project. The Repair and Renewal Stream has replaced minimum requirements with an approach where projects supporting accessibility and energy efficiency will be prioritized. Applications including these enhancements will open on November 22.
• The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is delivered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the NHS. It 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. With its third phase, launched in 2022, the Rapid Housing Initiative once again exceeded targets. It is expected that with this phase over 5,200 new homes will be created, of which almost half will be for women and one third will be for Indigenous Peoples. The total number of units created with the support of Rapid Housing Initiative is expected to be over 16,000 units. The program is now closed.
  • The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people, 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.

Additional Information:

• Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of Canada housing information.
• 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, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Appendix: Projects receiving funding  

Project Name	Program	Region/ City	Funding ($)	Units	Type
OAHS Affordable Housing Huron Thunder Bay	Affordable Housing Fund (AHF)	Thunder Bay	4,751,314	24	New units
Norseman Inn Seniors Conversion	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Red Lake	2,076,551	10	New units
Whitefish Bay 32A Rapid Housing 3	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Whitefish Bay 32A	8,773,527	25	New units
Slate Falls Nation 10 House Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	30 Lot, Slate Falls	5,396,900	10	New units
Neskantaga - RHI 3  - 5 duplexes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Neskantaga	5,559,400	10	New units
Nipissing Elders' Lodge - Duchesnay	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Nipissing 10	6,857,495	10	New units
Ojibways of Onigaming Rapid Housing Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Sabaskong Bay 35D	1,656,069	6	New units
Lac Seul First Nation 3-5 Plex Housing Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Lac Seul 28,	5,464,804	15	New units
10 Single 3-Bedroom Units RHI 3	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Fort Hope 64	5,917,500	10	New units
Marten Falls - Multi-unit projects - 23/24	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Marten Falls 65	5,706,745	12	New units
Olive's Garden	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Chippewas of Rama First Nation	9,600,000	44	New units
SL39- RHI 3 - New Construction (5 units) - Single Family Homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Shoal Lake (Part) 39A	2,420,594	5	New units
WBSK - RHI3 - Single Family Homes New Construction (10 units) - Main Rd	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Wabauskang 21	5,212,716	10	New units
Serpent River First Nation RHI - 7 Modular Duplex	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Serpent River 7	5,144,803	14	New units
Niisaachewan - RHI3 - Single Family Homes - New Construction (10 units)	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	The Dalles 38C	4,932,771	10	New units
SL40- RHI 3 - New Construction (10 units) - Single Family Homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Shoal Lake (Part) 40	5,289,633	10	New units
WLON - RHI3 - Single Family house - New Construction (10 units)	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Dryden	5,442,992	10	New units
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki 84	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki 84 (Big Trout Lake)	13,735,314	35	New units
Sachigo RHI	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Sachigo Lake 1	6,955,153	20	New units
Oshkineeg Youth Transitional Housing Program, Kenora, ON in partnership with Anishinaabe Abinoojii Family Services.	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Kenora	1,253,900	5	New units
MBQ Senior Housing Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory	1,343,561	7	New units
Rapid Housing Initiative - Alderville First Nation Triplex Builds	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Alnwick/Haldimand,	1,618,255	6	New units
Lac Seul RHI3 2023	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Hudson	3,483,040	10	New units
Nipissing Elder's Lodge - Garden Village	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Nipissing 10	5,762,058	10	New units
Wabaseemoong Rapid Housing Initiative 3	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Wabaseemoong	9,258,044	26	New units
SLFN Project B - 4 Stick Builds	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Sachigo Lake 1	2,184,861	4	New units
SLFN Project A - 10 Modular Builds	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Sachigo Lake 1	4,321,582	10	New units
Mississauga of the Credit First Nation RHI	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Haldimand County	6,600,000	15	New units
Constance Lake - 6 Single Family Homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Constance Lake 92	1,980,039	6	New units
Dokis RHI Homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Dokis 9	2,640,000	7	New units
Kasabonika Lake RHI2 Project A (2 single family modular)	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Kasabonika Lake	1,130,801	2	New units
Three 5 bedroom Modular Homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Rat Portage 38A	2,156,854	3	New units
Saugeen Rapid Housing Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Saugeen 29	2,981,000	8	New units
SFFN Project B - 5 Modular Builds	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Slate Falls	2,701,128	5	New units
SFFN Project A - 5 Stick Builds	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Slate Falls	2,538,675	5	New units
NCLFN 8 Modular Single Family Homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Weagamow Lake 87	3,945,213	8	New units
NCLFN 2 Modular Four Plexes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Weagamow Lake 87	1,367,943	8	New units
NCLFN 4 stick frame single family homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Weagamow Lake 87	2,051,786	4	New units
Aroland Renovation Project # 2	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Aroland 83	784,040	6	New units
Bearskin Lake First Nation RHI 2	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Bearskin Lake	14,349,520	30	New units
Big Grassy Modular Home Row Housing Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Big Grassy River 35G	1,982,549	10	New units
CLFN Project B - 4 Stick Builds	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Cat Lake 63C	2,096,558	4	New units
CLFN Project A - 10 Modular Builds	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Cat Lake 63C,	4,312,135	10	New units
Project Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Fort Frances	2,928,000	12	New units
Eabametoong 5 duplex units 2021-22	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Fort Hope 64	4,053,175	10	New units
Chapleau Cree RHI Project - 6 Units	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Fox Lake 2	2,726,883	6	New units
GFN 2022 RHI2 Project 9 Single Family Homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Ginoogaming First Nation	2,916,495	9	New units
GFN 2022 RHI2 Project 4-plex	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Ginoogaming First Nation	936,225	4	New units
AWZ#37 Project B - Windigo Island Triplexes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Kenora	2,465,964	6	New units
AWZ#37 Project A - Regina Bay Duplexes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Kenora	1,225,542	4	New units
Family Living Complex	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Mississagi River 8	1,863,880	5	New units
10 Unit RHI CMHC Muskrat Dam Housing Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Muskrat Dam Lake	2,258,584	10	New units
Neskantaga - Duplex project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Neskantaga	5,516,076	10	New units
North Spirit Lake First Nation Rapid Housing Initiative	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	North Spirit Lake	1,901,947	3	New units
NWA#33 Dog Paw Row Housing Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Northwest Angle 33B	1,257,992	5	New units
Wunnumin Lake Rapid Housing Initiative Project B paper application	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Wunnumin 1	2,135,202	4	New units
Wunnumin Lake Rapid Housing Initiative Project A paper application	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Wunnumin 1	904,840	2	New units
Pikangikum Community Safe House Village - Second Stage Homes	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Pikangikum 14	3,268,000	10	New units
AoPFN RHI	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Golden Lake 39	5,038,357	12	New units
Poplar Hill First Nation Rapid Housing Initiative	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Poplar Hill	1,901,945	3	New units
Nibinamik First Nation – Multi-Plex Housing Project.	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Summer Beaver	6,043,004	14	New units
MBQ Senior Housing Initiative	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Tyendinaga Mohawk	5,670,759	12	New units
Wapekeka RHI2 Project A (2 single family modular)	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Wapekeka 2	1,149,060	2	New units
Shelter	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Curve Lake First Nation 35	$1,089,180	6	New units
Transitional Housing	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Christian Island 30	1,000,000	10	New units
Modular Housing	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Fort Frances	2,399,400	7	New units
Community Housing II	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Gull River 55	2,350,000	10	New units
Affordable Housing On- Reserve	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Manitou Rapids 11	1,587,132	8	New units
Maple Ridge Project	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Sagamok	2,049,600	3	New units
Onondaga Phase 2	Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)	Six Nations (Part) 40	1,872,500	5	New units
Total:			$262,247,565	691

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Contacts: Sofia Ouslis, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]