CALEDON – The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Region of Peel today celebrated the opening of 25 affordable rental units for seniors – an extension to an existing 15-unit seniors building in Caledon East. The project received $1.25 million from the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); Linda Jeffrey, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton Springdale, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Region of Peel Chair, Emil Kolb, and Mayor of Caledon, Marolyn Morrison made the announcement today. “This is great news for seniors in Caledon,” said MP Tilson. “These new apartments will help provide more options for those seniors in need of suitable, affordable housing and they will also contribute to the economic and social well-being of the community.” “Access to affordable, quality housing is vitally important to Peel seniors,” said MPP Jeffrey. “I am very pleased that the provincial and federal governments have once again joined together to work together on another housing project. This is a true community initiative that will make a positive impact on the lives of seniors.” Today’s announcement recognized the official opening of a 25-unit complex at 20 Walker Road East, sponsored by Peel Housing Corporation. The $6.05 million project will be occupied by seniors. The federal and provincial allocations to the project were complemented by $4.8 million in municipal financial incentives. “With this funding and support from federal and provincial governments, we have provided more affordable housing options for seniors in the Caledon community,” said Regional Chair Emil Kolb. “The wait time for seniors housing can be up to a few years – we need to keep working together to make quality, accessible housing readily available.” “I’m pleased with the support we’ve received in Caledon for more housing,” said Mayor Morrison. “We can now accommodate more seniors with affordable homes and support services, which is a growing need in our community, and I thank all levels of government for coming together to make this happen.” 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. Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment. Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding, which increases the number of “quick start” projects to 39 totalling 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. 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. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Orangeville, Ontario– Funding of $1.8 million for 15 new affordable housing rental units for seniors living on a low income was announced today in Orangeville.


MP David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, 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 Linda Jeffrey, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton-Springdale, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; along with Gordon Montgomery, Warden of Dufferin County, made the announcement.


“The Government of Canada is helping Canadians during these tough economic times and giving hope to seniors who need quality, affordable housing that meets their needs,” said MP Tilson. “This investment is possible through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. For Ontario, this includes a $1.2 billion joint investment.”


“These affordable housing projects support our Province’s efforts to reduce poverty,” said MPP Jeffrey. “We will continue to work closely with our federal and municipal partners to maximize the number of affordable housing units which are built during the life of this program.”


“We are delighted to receive this generous funding to further support the Lawrence Avenue Seniors Building project,” said Warden Montgomery. “This funding will assist with providing additional seniors’ housing units and reducing wait list times.”


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.


Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.


Today’s announcement celebrates the funding for 15 new affordable rental units for seniors at 40 Lawrence Avenue in Orangeville. The project is sponsored by the Corporation of the County of Dufferin.


Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding with a total of 39 quick start projects totaling over $76.5 million, which will improve access to affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities across the province. 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.