Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Ottawa

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 21, 2011) - Ground was broken today for 45 new affordable rental housing units for seniors living on low income in Ottawa. The project received $5.4 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments.

Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans, 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 Phil McNeely, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans, on behalf of the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, along with Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, made the announcement.

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

These 45 units are an excellent example of Ontario's commitment to seniors who need our help," said MPP McNeely. "We are proud to help provide safe, affordable, and accessible housing for our seniors living on low and fixed incomes. This project will make a positive difference to these seniors living right here in Ottawa."

"Bruyère Village is a model for affordable supportive care for seniors that should be the envy of the entire province," said Mayor Jim Watson. "The City of Ottawa is proud to provide support equalling more than $1 million to help bring about the project we see here today."

The 45-unit project known as Bruyère Continuing Care Affordable Supportive Housing is located at 879 Hiawatha Park Road in Ottawa. The project received $5.4 million through a joint investment under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial funding is complemented by over $1 million in municipal financial incentives.

Bruyère Continuing Care is the champion of well-being for aging Canadians and those requiring continuing care helping them become and remain as healthy and independent as possible through innovative and compassionate care, research, education and advocacy. Located in Ottawa, Bruyère Continuing Care provides complex continuing care, palliative care, rehabilitation, care of the elderly, long-term care, research and family medicine.

One of the largest health care centres of its kind in Canada, Bruyère Continuing Care includes: Saint-Vincent Hospital, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, Résidence Saint-Louis, Résidence Élisabeth Bruyère, Bruyère Family Medicine Centre, Primrose Family Medicine Centre and Bruyère Foundation.

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 the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost 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 five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

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. As part of the Open Ontario Plan, the province's Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy sets a strong foundation for a more efficient, accessible affordable housing system in Ontario.

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.

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.

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For more information visit: www.cmhc.ca

www.ontario.ca/housing