Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Elgin

ELGIN, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 29, 2012) - The official opening of 12 new affordable rental housing units for seniors living on a low income was held today in Elgin. The project received more than $1.4 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. The construction of Elgin Seniors Housing has created up to 30 jobs in Ontario.

Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and John Gerretsen, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, along with Mel Campbell, Warden, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Ron Holman, Mayor of the Township of Rideau Lakes, made the announcement.

"Our Government is investing in affordable housing in Elgin to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for seniors here in our community," said MP Brown. "This initiative will help low-income seniors access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs."

"Our government is committed to providing safe and affordable housing to those who need it most," said MPP Gerretsen. "In honour of Senior's Month, I am pleased to see how this project is providing independent living and making a positive difference in the lives of many people here in Elgin."

"The Council of the Township of Rideau Lakes, under the guidance of Mayor Ron Holman, has undertaken the remarkable development of affordable seniors housing in Elgin," said Warden Mel Campbell. "The design and workmanship in these homes is in an excellent example of cooperation between levels of government, a pride to the municipality and a model for Leeds and Grenville."

Elgin Seniors Housing, located at 68 Harry Seeley Street in the Village of Elgin, received more than $1.4 million in funding. This 12-unit development is comprised of three separate single-story buildings; all units are fully accessible and barrier-free. The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $57,000 in municipal financial incentives.

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 CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.