Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate Affordable Housing in Ottawa

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 26, 2015) - The governments of Canada and Ontario, and the City of Ottawa, celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of 41 affordable housing rental units at Place Perrault today. The construction of this property has supported economic growth and helped create 102 jobs in Ottawa while providing more affordable housing options for members of the Aboriginal community and low-income individuals.

Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development); Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans, on behalf of the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Bob Monette, Deputy Mayor of the City of Ottawa, on behalf of Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, made the announcement today.

"Our government is dedicated to increasing the supply of affordable housing throughout the country, and I am proud of the role we have played in bringing Place Perrault to life," said MP Galipeau. "It is gratifying to see that these new affordable units are improving the lives of low-income individuals and members of the Aboriginal community here in Ottawa."

"A home provides a stable foundation that can help people rise out of poverty. Our government is committed to helping prevent and reduce poverty in Ontario," said Marie-France Lalonde, MPP for Ottawa-Orléans. "Affordable housing is the basis to the well-being of Ontario's families and building stronger communities."

"I see the success of this project, not in the bricks and mortar of the building itself, but in the faces of the residents who now have a home they can be proud of," said Mayor Watson. "This project is in line with the 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan and a reminder that Ottawa is striving to be a city where everyone has a place to call home."

Place Perrault is located at 205 Eric Czapnik Way. The project received $2.87 million to build 41 new rental housing units through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $2.2 million in municipal financial incentives from the City of Ottawa.

The five-storey apartment building is comprised of 29 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom rental units, including two accessible units. Place Perrault is owned and managed by Wigwamen Incorporated, which has partnered with Minwaashin Lodge to provide support services to some of its residents. As part of Wigwamen's ongoing programs, residents will also have the opportunity to participate in the Wigwamen Post-Secondary Scholarship, a Childrens' Book Club and a Back-to-School Backpack program.

"These 41 affordable homes are a great addition to this community," said Angus Palmer, General Manager of Wigwamen. "This building is a wonderful example of the power of the partnership between all levels of government and our organization."

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) invests approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to extend the Investment in Affordable Housing Program to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour.

Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2003, the province has committed more than $4 billion in funding for affordable housing, which has helped support more than 20,000 new affordable rental housing units, more than 275,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units and rental and down payment assistance to more than 90,000 households in need. Ontario's Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy has set a strong foundation for a more efficient, accessible affordable housing system and now the province has launched consultations to support a renewed Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy. Participants can submit their views to the government online, by telephone or in writing by July 3, 2015.

Investing in affordable housing is part of the Ontario government's economic plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic and innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

To find out more information on:

- How the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, visit Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation or call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642.

- Affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/housing and Ontario's Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy

- Housing in Ottawa, visit ottawa.ca/housing