Federal, Provincial and Municipal Partners Recognize National Housing Day

OTTAWA, Ontario, November 21, 2008 — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Ottawa, recognized National Housing Day today by announcing support for nine affordable housing projects in Ottawa which will create more than 352 new affordable rental units with over $19.5 million in funding under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Diane Deans, Ottawa City Councillor for Ward 10, Gloucester-Southgate attended the ceremony, which took place at a new 63-unit project located at 343 Parkin Circle. The project, sponsored by McLean Co-operative Homes, received $3.78 million under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

“Our government is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most, which is why we recently committed to maintain annual funding of $387.9 million for housing and homelessness programs until March 31, 2014,” said MP Komarnicki. “National Housing Day and collaborative projects such as these, work towards fulfilling our commitment to helping those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty.”

“We’ve made significant accomplishments in the development of affordable housing, in Ottawa and across the province, and National Housing day is a time to acknowledge and celebrate that,” said Minister Watson. “It’s also a time to acknowledge that more needs to be done and to reaffirm our commitment to work together to develop a long term affordable housing strategy that works for the people of Ontario.”

Today’s ceremony also celebrated:

• A 10-unit project at 138 Somerset Street West, now officially open. The project, sponsored by Multifaith Housing Initiative, received $600,000 under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
• A 30-unit project at 345 Clarence Street for individuals with special needs, now officially open. The project, sponsored by Quex Property Corporation, received $1.8 million under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
• A 163-unit project at 424 Metcalfe Avenue, soon to be under construction. The project, sponsored by Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, receives $7 million under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
• A 12-unit project at 372 – 380 Blake Boulevard, sponsored by Multifaith Housing Initiative, will receive $840,000.
• A 16-unit project at 260 Tompkins Avenue for individuals with special needs, sponsored by Cumberland Housing Corporation, receives $1.21 million.
• A 41-unit project at 241 Centrum Boulevard for Aboriginal people. The Orleans Town Centre, sponsored by Wigwamen Inc., receives $2.87 million.
• A seven-unit project at 265 Poulin Street. The Live Work Play project, sponsored by Live Work Play Inc., receives $700,000.
• A 10-unit project at 25 Molenaar Private. Sponsored by Dovercourt Housing Co-operative Inc., this project has been approved for $700,000.

In total, the nine projects will receive over $15 million in municipal financial contributions, including property tax savings, by the City of Ottawa.
“The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program has supported the development of over 650 affordable housing units in our community,” said Councillor Diane Deans. “I am pleased to mark National Housing Day by committing with my federal and provincial colleagues to continue this important work.”

“It is with great pleasure that we officially open McLean Co-operative Homes,” said Karen Harbocian, Founding President of McLean Co-operative Homes. “People with disabilities, singles, seniors and families now have a safe, affordable place in which to live as a result of the partnership among all three levels of government and the Board of McLean Co-operative Housing.”

The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.

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For more information visit: www.ontario.ca/housing

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