Canadian Funding Corporation Reports that Construction Begins on Two Affordable Housing Projects in Nipissing
Monday, June 1st, 2009NIPISSING, May 22, 2009 — Canadian Funding Corporation includes the following CMHC report that the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board today celebrated the start of construction for 67 new affordable rental units for low-income senior citizens in two projects in the District of Nipissing. The projects received $1.3 million in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
According to Canadian Funding Corporation, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; City of North Bay Councillor Dave Mendicino, Chair of Castle Arms Non Profit Apartment Corporation; and George Jupp, Chair of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board, made the announcement today.
“I’m pleased by the progress being made with our partners in North Bay and Mattawa,” said Minister Finley. “These new housing developments will provide more rental options for seniors in need of suitable, affordable housing, and are important to the economic and social well-being of the Nipissing community.”
“This investment will make a difference in the lives of senior citizens in North Bay and Mattawa, providing them with quality housing, and allowing them to continue to be an important part of our communities,” said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith.
The announcement today recognized two affordable housing projects for senior citizens, sponsored by Castle Arms Non-Profit Apartment Corporation:
* A 55-unit project to be constructed at 350 Olive Street in the City of North Bay received $1.1 million under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
* A 12-unit project to be constructed at 231 Tenth Street in the Town of Mattawa received $253,000 under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
Castle Arms will receive an annual affordability payment of $40,000 totalling $1.2 million for these two projects provided entirely by the member municipalities represented on the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board. Funding for the projects is complemented by municipal development fee waivers.
“This is a great opportunity to make a serious contribution to the much needed seniors housing shortage in the district,” said Councillor Dave Mendicino. “We’re grateful to all three levels of government for their support in making this happen.”
“Approximately 40 per cent of the people on the social housing waiting list in Nipissing District are senior citizens,” said Mr. Jupp. “Since 1981, the population of our senior citizens has increased by approximately 78 per cent. The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is proud to be making a contribution to our seniors, and the communities that we serve.”
The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for 20,000 households in Ontario.
Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years to build new and existing social housing, and lending up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.