Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Bracebridge

BRACEBRIDGE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 5, 2012) - The official opening of 80 new affordable rental housing units for seniors living on low income was held today in Bracebridge. The project received $9.6 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. The construction of McVittie Place has created up to 200 jobs in Ontario and will help to meet the housing needs of seniors in the Bracebridge area.

The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); Mario Sergio, Member of Provincial Parliament for York West and Parliamentary Assistant to the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs along with John Klinck, District Chair, The District Municipality of Muskoka, made the announcement.

"Our Government is investing in affordable housing here in Bracebridge to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most," said the Honourable Tony Clement. "These initiatives will help low-income seniors living in our community access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs."

"Our government is committed to providing stable and affordable housing to those who need it most," said Mario Sergio, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "Ontario's seniors deserve a safe place to call home in their community."

"This has been a tremendous project for Muskoka. The new seniors affordable apartment building located at 102 Pine Street is nestled between the beautiful Rotary Gardens and The Pines, our outstanding Long-Term Care facility," said District Chair John Klinck. "It contains 80 units and includes several social spaces such as the Parlour, the Muskoka Room and the Terrace. We are ever so proud of this development and know that it will well serve Muskoka for the rest of this century."

McVittie Place, an 80-unit project located at 102 Pine Street, received $9.6 million. The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $1 million in municipal financial incentives from the District Municipality of Muskoka and Town of Bracebridge.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Ontario, this represents some 237,750 households. These investments are improving 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.

Ontario continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for Ontarians with housing needs. Since 2009, the provincial government has provided nearly $183 million to build new rental housing units for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Ontario's overall investment of over $2.5 billion has translated into the construction and repair of more than 270,000 housing units and the provision of 35,000 rent supplements for Ontario families on fixed incomes. The province's Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy sets a strong foundation for a more efficient, accessible affordable housing system in Ontario.

Affordable housing is a key component of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy. Download a copy of the Government of Ontario's Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.ontario.ca/housing.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.

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