Canadian Mortgage News

August 2006 National News Archive

$2 Million Allocated for Affordable Housing in Guelph

GUELPH, Ontario, August 21, 2006 — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the County of Wellington, who have partnered with the City of Guelph, held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies today to mark the official opening of 77 units of affordable housing in two buildings providing homes for lower-income individuals, seniors, and families.

Harold Albrecht, Member or Parliament for Kitchener – Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development; Liz Sandals, Member of Provincial Parliament, Guelph – Wellington, on behalf of John Gerretsen, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Warden Brad Whitcombe, County of Wellington, and Guelph Mayor Kate Quarrie attended today’s ceremonies.

“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Mr. Albrecht. “Canada’s new government is proud to help make this dream a reality for lower-incomes individuals, seniors and families in Guelph.”

“The McGuinty government is on the side of the most vulnerable,” said MPP Sandals. “This government is committed to continuing to work together to help ensure that every resident of the County who needs it has an affordable place to call home.”

The two projects, totalling $9.4 million, include $2.2 million in funding from the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The projects provide 33 units at 747 Paisley Road sponsored by Guelph Non-Profit Housing Corporation, and 44 units at 371 Waterloo Avenue, sponsored by John and Tom Lammer of 805395 Ontario Limited.

“An affordable housing strategy is an important part of the City of Guelph’s continual pursuit of enhanced community wellness,” says Guelph’s Mayor Kate Quarrie. “The City is pleased there are now additional units of affordable housing for those in Guelph who have need of them.”

“The project at Paisley Place would not have been possible without the financial support of all levels of government, and the dedication of our staff and volunteers,” said Timothy McGurrin, Chair of the Guelph Non-Profit Housing Corporation. “The addition of the 33 units at Paisley Place increases the corporation's portfolio to 545 affordable housing units.”

“This development had an extra complexity due to brownfield remediation and heritage restoration, which made the completion of the project much more satisfying,” said Tom Lammer of 805395 Ontario Limited. “We believe we’ve added an impressive asset to the city.”

The federal and provincial funding for the projects was complemented by more than $1.5 million in municipal financial incentives from the City of Guelph.

In the County of Wellington, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), has contributed $2.31 million through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The federal – provincial agreement, signed on April 29, 2005, comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two levels of government. With this commitment, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in affordable housing over the life of the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program. In total, the program will help 20,000 Ontario households by 2010.

For further information, please contact:

For more information visit
www.county.wellington.on.ca

See related speech

News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)