Federal government invests in almost 5,000 affordable homes in Northern Ontario and Indigenous communities across the province

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

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

THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 1, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the federal government announced more than $84 million in contributions and low-cost loans through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to help build and repair 4,966 affordable homes in Northern Ontario and in many Indigenous communities across Ontario.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay – Superior North on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, alongside Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River.

It took place at Manion Court, an apartment complex located at 130 Donald Street West, and is operated by the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB). The building primarily serves seniors and offers 102 units, including one and two-bedroom apartments. In total, the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board is receiving over $2.9 million in funding towards repairs for 2,109 units across Thunder Bay.

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 is one way we're helping make that a reality for Canadians. We will keep investing in affordable housing projects like the ones announced today, and working with partners across the country, to end the housing crisis." – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“It’s about building a fairer economy for everyone, especially the younger generations. More houses will be built, and more repairs will be made where necessary. We’re taking action to keep houses affordable in Northern Ontario, so young people can also afford them.” – The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay – Superior North

"Today's announcement will build and repair nearly 2146 affordable homes in Thunder Bay. By creating and repairing more affordable housing, local residences will save money, creating an economy that works for everyone." – Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, Ontario

Quick facts:

• The federal funding announced today is helping create a total of 231 new homes and is leading to the repairs of 4,735 homes.
• The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to help build new affordable homes and renovate and repair existing, affordable and community housing.
• Through the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, the government announced an additional $1 billion for the Affordable Housing Fund, bringing the total funding to over $14 billion. To further support non-profit, co-operative, and public housing providers and respond to the needs of those most impacted by the housing crisis, Budget 2024 committed an additional $1 billion to the fund.
• This program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) 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 March 2024, the federal government has committed $50.97 billion through the NHS to support the creation of over 146,000 units and the repair of over 286,000 units.
• To support the Government's work to grow housing supply and address the need for more affordable and rental homes, CMHC is implementing the Frequent Builder framework.
• The Frequent Builder framework will help expedite applications for the Affordable Housing Fund and the Apartment Construction Loan Program. The Frequent Builder status is given to existing housing providers with a proven track record of building multi-residential units. Different criteria apply to Governments, non-profit and for-profit organizations to qualify for Frequent Builder status.
• Frequent Builders may receive benefits such as priority treatment, a streamlined process through intake, underwriting and approval stages, underwriting and advancing flexibilities, as well as the possibility of funding commitments for future years which will allow funding predictability and better planning for their pipeline of projects.

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 under AHF

Project Name	Region/City	Funding ($)	Units
Alderville First Nation Repairs	Alderville First Nation	75,000	5
Six Nations of the Grand River Repairs 2	Six Nations (Part) 40	150,000	10
Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum Nation Repairs	Kenora 38B	150,000	10
Michipicoten Repairs	Wawa	150,000	10
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation Repairs	Dryden	150,000	10
Wabauskang First Nation Repairs	Ear Falls	180,000	12
Wabaseemoong Independent Nations Repairs	Wabaseemoong	150,000	10
Grassy Narrows First Nation - Repairs	Kenora 38B	150,000	10
Shoal Lake No.40 Repairs	Shoal Lake (Part) 40	150,000	10
Nibinamik First Nation Repairs	Summer Beaver	150,000	10
Lac Seul Repairs	Lac Seul 28	150,000	10
Brunswick House Repairs	Chapleau	150,000	10
Chippewas of Rama First Nation Repairs	Chippewas of Rama First Nation	435,000	29
Henvey Inlet First Nation Repairs	Henvey Inlet 2	465,000	31
Albany Repairs	Fort Albany (Part) 67	600,000	40
UI560- First Nation's Housing Co-op 2023	London	3,996,759	42
Big Grassy First Nation Repairs	Big Grassy River 35G	300,000	20
Brandford Native Housing Repairs	Brantford	100,000	10
Niisaachewan Anishinaabe First Nation Repairs	Kenora 38B	150,000	10
Mississauga First Nation Repairs	Blind River	150,000	10
Moose Cree Repairs	Moose Factory 68	165,000	11
Serpent River First Nation Repairs 2	Serpent River 7	264,307	18
Beausoleil First Nation Repairs	Christian Island 30	300,000	20
Bearskin Lake First Nation Repairs	Bearskin Lake	250,000	17
Wahta Mohawks First Nation Repairs	Wahta Mohawk Territory	150,000	10
Sheshegwaning First Nation Repairs	Sheshegwaning 20	150,000	10
Nipissing First Nation Repairs	Nipissing	450,000	30
Wapekeka First Nation Repairs	Wapekeka 2	150,000	10
Whitesand First Nation Repairs	Whitesand	150,000	10
Oneida Nation of the Thames Repairs	Oneida 41	300,000	20
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Repairs	Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki 84 (Big Trout Lake)	150,000	10
Huron County Housing Corporation - Repairs	Huron No. 223	1,080,000	446
Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg Repairs 2	Pic Mobert North	300,000	20
Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve Repairs	Wikwemikong Unceded	300,000	20
Rebuilding Family Homes- Children First Home Renovations	North Spirit Lake	75,000	5
Long Lake #58 First Nation Repairs	Long Lake 58	105,000	7
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Repairs	Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory	420,000	53
Alderville First Nation Repairs	Alderville First Nation	75,000	5
Mississaugas of the Credit Repairs	New Credit (Part) 40A	75,000	5
Wahnapitae First Nation Repairs	Wahnapitei 11	60,000	4
Hiawatha First Nation Repairs	Hiawatha First Nation	105,000	7
Eagle Lake First Nation Repairs	Eagle Lake 27	75,000	5
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Repairs	Mississaugas of Scugog Island	105,000	7
Aroland First Nation Repairs	Aroland 83	150,000	10
Six Nations of the Grand River Repairs	Six Nations (Part) 40	75,000	5
Sagamok Anishnawbek Repairs	Sagamok	90,000	6
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Repairs	Chippewas of the Thames First Nation 42	15,000	1
Marten Falls First Nation Repair	Marten Falls 65	150,000	10
Webequie First Nation Repairs	Webequie	150,000	10
Taykwa Tagamou Nation Repair	New Post 69A	120,000	8
Ginoogaming First Nation Repair	Ginoogaming First Nation	120,000	8
Whitefish River Repairs	Whitefish River (Part) 4	150,000	10
Muskrat Dam Lake Repairs	Muskrat Dam Lake	120,000	8
Serpent River Repairs	Serpent River 7	150,000	10
Constance Lake Repairs	Constance Lake 92	150,000	10
Shawanaga First Nation Repairs	Shawanaga 17	150,000	10
Wasauksing First Nation Repairs	Parry Island First Nation	225,000	15
Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg Repairs	Pic Mobert North	225,000	15
Couchiching First Nation Repairs	Fort Frances	360,000	24
Aamjiwnaang Repairs	Sarnia 45	180,000	12
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan Repairs	Pikwakanagan (Golden Lake 39)	150,000	10
Naicatchewenin Repairs	La Vallée	150,000	10
Mitaanjigamiing First Nation Repairs	Fort Frances	150,000	10
UI560 - Huronia Family Housing Co-operative Inc.	Midland	970,035	25
Nipissing District Housing Corporation Repairs	North Bay	1,550,000	155
Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) - Repairs	Timmins	1,000,000	298
District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board Repairs	Parry Sound	1,846,045	240
Red Rock Repairs	Red Rock	150,000	10
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board Repairs	Thunder Bay	2,961,266	2109
Shelter	Thunder Bay	2,475,000	33
56-unit Seniors Residence on Eighth Street South in Kenora	Kenora	16,752,908	56
Kenora District Services Board Repair and Renewal	Dryden	6,010,000	601
Co-Investment Revitalization program UI560	Timmins	1,310,327	36
Shelter	Kenora	3,646,800	9
Sioux Lookout Student & Family Housing in partnership with Windigo First Nations Council	Sioux Lookout	3,348,292	20
Pinewood Place, a 40-unit Seniors Residence in Dryden	Dryden	12,024,929	40
Suswin House	North Bay	2,900,000	30
Shelter	Kincardine	10,231,957	35
Shelter	Huntsville	210,991	4
Shelter	Thunder Bay	531,648	4
Total		84,156,264	4,966

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

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