Social Infrastructure Spending Strengthens Communities and Grows the Economy in Ontario

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 21, 2016) - The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Chris Ballard, Ontario's Minister of Housing, today announced measures to give Canadians greater access to more affordable housing, including the doubling of current funding under the Investment in Affordable Housing initiative, supporting affordable housing for seniors, building and renovating shelters and transition houses for victims of family violence, and addressing repairs and improving energy and water efficiency of existing social housing.

Federal Budget 2016 investments in affordable housing will provide targeted support to those who need it most, including in Ontario, and create good jobs that help grow Canada's economy in a clean and sustainable way. The federal and provincial/territorial governments will work together to quickly deliver the new funding. Over the next two years, more than $640 million in new funding will be jointly invested in Ontario by the federal and provincial governments in various initiatives to support the housing needs of Ontarians.

Ontario is matching the Federal Government's commitment to double the current funding under the Investment in Affordable Housing initiative. An additional $168 million in provincial funding will be available to build, renovate, and provide critical affordable housing across the province.

Quotes

"All Canadians need and deserve housing that is safe, adequate and affordable. Through new investments in housing, the Government is helping to strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for Canadians, providing better places to live and grow." - Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

"The partnership between Canada and Ontario to provide additional funding for affordable housing in Ontario gives life to our vision that every person has an affordable, suitable, and adequate home. This will help provide the foundation to secure employment, raise a family, and build strong communities." - The Honourable Chris Ballard, Ontario's Minister of Housing

"This investment will make a real difference in the lives of women and children who have experienced domestic violence and require shelter supports and services. This new funding will provide a significant enhancement to the Violence Against Women services sector to help women and children rebuild their lives, free of violence." - The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Ontario's Minister of Community and Social Services

"This much needed investment in supportive housing across Ontario will improve access to safe and stable housing for those who need it most. We know that housing is the first priority in helping people lead healthy lives." - The Honourable Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

Quick Facts

• In addition to existing funding under the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH), the funding levels by the Governments of Canada and Ontario have been doubled to more than $336.7 million over two years.
• The Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Housing, is responsible for choosing the programs they design and deliver, and also has the flexibility to invest in a range of affordable housing programs in order to meet local needs. Initiatives can include, for example, new construction, renovation, affordability assistance and independent living (accessibility, modifications for persons with disabilities and seniors), and support of accommodations for victims of family violence.

Through the IAH, the Government of Canada is also providing to Ontario over two years:

• almost $67.2 million to support the construction, repair and adaption of affordable housing for seniors;
• more than $27.9 million to support the construction and renovation of shelters and transition houses for victims of family violence; and
• almost $209.4 million to help address the increasing demand for repairs as social housing units age, and to improve efficiency and reduce energy and water use.

Stay Connected

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, we contribute to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provide support for Canadians in housing need, and offer unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of our operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit http://www.cmhc.ca/ or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

• 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;
• 275,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units
• rental and down payment assistance to more than 90,000 households in need.

These investments complement the commitments made through Ontario's recent Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy update, and support the province's goal of ending chronic homelessness in 10 years. For more information on Affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing.

BACKGROUNDER

Investments in Affordable Housing in Canada

Measures over the next two years to give Canadians greater access to more affordable housing include:

Doubling of the current IAH funding levels by the Government of Canada and provinces and territories, to more than $1 billion over two years, starting in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.

Through the IAH, the Government of Canada is also providing over two years:

• $200.1 million to support the construction, repair and adaption of affordable housing for seniors;
  
  
• $89.9 million to support victims of family violence, and the construction and renovation of shelters and transition houses; and
  
  
• $177.7 million to address the housing needs in the North and Inuit communities.
  
  

To support $573.9 million for retrofits and renovations of social housing units in Canada, at least $485 million is also provided through the IAH and $82.7 million is delivered by the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.