Governments of Canada and Ontario celebrate new affordable housing in Owen
Sound

OWEN SOUND, ON, Oct. 14 /CNW/ - Larry Miller , Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley , Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Carol Mitchell , Member of Provincial Parliament for Huron-Bruce, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson , Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, today announced $4.8 million to fund an affordable housing project for seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities.

The funding was made available as a result of a $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which includes funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and by the Government of Ontario. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.

Today's announcement today celebrated the opening of 37 new affordable rental units and the allocation of funds for an additional 23 units. Both phases of the project are sponsored by the Owen Sound Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation, providing affordable housing for seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities in Owen Sound.

"The Government of Canada is helping Canadian seniors, individuals, families and persons living with disabilities during these tough economic times," said MP Larry Miller . "Here in Owen Sound, this achievement gives hope to residents who need quality, affordable housing that meets their needs."

"Our government is deeply committed to developing better ways to meet the housing needs of Ontario's vulnerable populations," said MPP Mitchell. "Through the construction of safe, new housing, we're helping vulnerable people - seniors, families and people with special needs - establish and maintain the stability that many of us take for granted."

"We have identified a need for housing of this nature and it is very gratifying that our senior levels of government have stepped up and supplied these funds to allow this project to go forward. Owen Sound Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation has a proven record of building and maintaining projects of this nature," said Kevin Eccles , Warden of Grey County.

"I am absolutely delighted with this project," said Ruth Lovell Stanners, Mayor of Owen Sound and Chair of County of Grey Social Services Committee. "Owen Sound has a critical need for affordable housing and with the units just built we are finally making some headway. Thanks must go to the Owen Sound Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation for their role in driving this project with the federal and provincial partners."

The Government of Canada wants to ensure that Canadians on fixed incomes can live with independence and dignity and remain in their communities, close to family and friends. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million , over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding, which increases the number of "quick start" projects to 39 totaling over $76.5 million and which will improve access to affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities. It will also create jobs and strengthen local economies. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca.

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan can be found at www.actionplan.gc.ca. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

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

For further information: Media Inquiries: Michelle Bakos, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]; Beth Bailey, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [phone]; Adam Grachnik, Office of Minister Watson, [phone]; Rod Wyatt, County of Grey, [phone]