Canadian Mortgage News

January 2005 National News Archive

$2.1 Million Allocated for Affordable Housing in Welland and Thorold

WELLAND, Ontario, March 16, 2005 — The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario today allocated more than $2.1 million to help fund three pilot projects that will create 79 units of affordable housing for lower-income households in the City of Welland and the City of Thorold as part of $4.7 million allocated to Niagara Region under the Canada/Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The announcement was made by John Maloney, Member of Parliament for Welland, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, and Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan.

"The Government of Canada believes in the importance of communities and recognizes the pressure they are under to provide adequate and affordable housing." said MP Maloney. "We are pleased to be working with the Province and the Region to extend a helping hand to those who need it the most in the Niagara Region including singles, families, and seniors."

"Affordable housing is fundamental to the well-being, vitality and strength of families and the communities in which they live," said Caplan. "The projects in Niagara Region are an excellent example of how different levels of government can work together to strengthen communities by providing more affordable housing for lower income residents."

"I am pleased that the Federal Government and the Province of Ontario have committed these funds in support of our local initiatives which will be managed by Niagara Regional Housing," commented Regional Chair Peter Partington. Adding, "It is a sad reality that homelessness is a problem which many municipalities, including Niagara, have to deal with. I believe that the development of these projects and programmes will provide real assistance to those who are in need of affordable housing."

The $2.1 million allocation includes:

• $313,958 for a 12-unit project at 67 Front Street North in Thorold. The project is sponsored by the Keefer Developments Ltd. The units will be occupied by seniors.
• $1,053,000 for a 39-unit project at 26 Mill Street in Welland. The project is sponsored by Niagara Falls Masonry Contractors Ltd. The units will be occupied by seniors, families and singles.
• $756,000 for a 28-unit project at 17-19 East Main Street in Welland. The project is sponsored by the non-profit organization Gateway Residence & Community Support Service of Niagara Inc. The units will be occupied by singles and families.

Today's federal and provincial allocation will be complemented by matching funds from the Region of Niagara plus other municipal financial incentives.

In the Region of Niagara, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), has contributed $1.9 million to projects in Welland and Thorold through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The pilot project is part of a five-year commitment that will create affordable housing units in Ontario. This partnership combines Government of Canada funding of $245 million with matching contributions of the Government of Ontario, municipalities and other non-profit partners.

For further information please contact:

Peter Graham
Office of Minister Fontana
(613) 953-5646

Wilson Lee
Office of Minister Caplan
(416) 325-8735

Lora Beckwith
General Manager
Niagara Regional Housing
(905) 682-9201 ext. 340

For more information visit:

www.pir.gov.on.ca
www.regional.niagara.on.ca

News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)