$324,000 Allocated for Affordable Housing in Simcoe County

SIMCOE COUNTY, Ontario, January 28, 2005 — The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario today allocated more than $324,000 to help fund a pilot project that will create 12 units of affordable housing for lower-income households in Simcoe County.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Paul DeVillers, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, and Ontario Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan under the Canada/Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of affordable housing," said Mr. DeVillers. "We are pleased to be working with our partners to extend a helping hand to those who need it the most in Simcoe County including families, seniors and persons with disabilities."

"One of the McGuinty government's fundamental goals is to help provide affordable housing for Ontarians who need it," said Mr. Caplan. "This allocation represents a significant step in addressing the need for more affordable housing in Simcoe County."

"The County of Simcoe is delighted with today's announcement by the federal and provincial governments to allocate significant dollars to help provide affordable housing to those in need in our community," said Simcoe County Warden Dennis Roughley. "This contribution is a step in the right direction to respond to the tremendous demand on all levels of government and community organizations to address the emergent issue of affordable housing for low-income people."

The $324,000 allocation to Simcoe County comprises of a 12-unit project at 231 Westmount Drive South in the City of Orillia. The project is sponsored by Foxfell Friends Co-operative Community Corporation. The units will be occupied by families, seniors and disabled persons with lower incomes.

Today's federal and provincial allocation will be complemented by more than $717,000 in municipal financial incentives.

In Simcoe County, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), has contributed $1.1 million 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 private and non-profit partners.

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For more information visit www.mah.gov.on.ca