Governments of Canada and Ontario hold groundbreaking for affordable rental housing in Hamilton

HAMILTON, ON, Oct. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario have partnered to help fund affordable rental housing for residents in Hamilton.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for a 45-unit housing facility for individuals, including those living with mental health issues and physical disabilities, at 500 James Street North. The development received $6.3 million in combined federal and provincial funding through the Canada-Ontario Investment in Affordable Housing agreement.

Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Peter Milczyn, Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, made the announcement.

The City of Hamilton contributed more than $990,000 to the initiative and also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Quick facts:

• The facility is a partnership between Indwell and Hughson Street Baptist Church and will include both affordable housing and a place of worship.
  
• Many units will be barrier-free.
  
• Developers will seek to meet passive house certification for 500 James Street North, a highly energy-efficient building standard that significantly reduces heating and cooling costs.
  
• Planned amenities in the complex include a common room, gymnasium/auditorium, atrium, chapel, community kitchen and classrooms for youth programs.

Quotes:

"Our Government is investing in affordable housing in Ontario and across the country to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for people who need it most. When complete, this new development will bring 45 more affordable rental housing units to our city of Hamilton, giving a new place to call home for families in our community." ? Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek

"We are proud to help fund projects that give members of our community a safe and affordable place to call home. Partnerships such as this one not only benefit the people who will be living at this new facility, but our city and our province as a whole." ? Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale

Associated links:

• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
  
• Investing in affordable housing programs is part of Ontario's plan to create jobs, grow the economy and help people in their everyday lives. Since 2003, the province has committed more than $5 billion in funding for affordable housing, which has helped support more than 22,000 new affordable rental housing units, more than 335,000 repairs and improvements to social and affordable housing units and rental and down payment assistance to more than 93,000 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 by 2025. For more information on affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing.

Stay connected:

• Follow CMHC on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Follow Ontario's Ministry of Housing on Twitter.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation