First Ever Passive House High-Rise Retrofit in Canada Will Create More Affordable Housing for Seniors in Hamilton

HAMILTON, ON, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Our government strongly believes that all Canadians should have access to a safe and affordable place to call home. Seniors in Hamilton will soon have new affordable housing options thanks to the Ken Soble Tower transformation that will make this high-rise the first retrofit Passive House tower in Canada.

Today in Hamilton, Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs), on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced $10M in National Housing Strategy (NHS) funding to support this innovative project that will help more seniors find an affordable place to live.

Through the NHS Affordable Housing Innovation Fund the federeal government is investing close to $3.7M and has a financial commitment of $6.3M through National Housing Co-Investment Fund for the Ken Soble Tower transformation. Other partners involved in the project include the City of Hamilton and the Federation of Canadian Municipalites. This project by CityHousing Hamilton, the retrofit of the 17-storey, vacant and unhabitable apartment building, with Passive House standard, will provide 146 new affordable appartments for seniors.

The Ken Soble Tower transformation will showcase how multi-residential postwar structures may be rehabilitated to the Passive House standard. It will result in significant reductions in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and energy intensity of the building. The Passive House standard reduces operating costs for buildings, which contributes to increased affordability for tenants.

Quotes

"Through the National Housing Strategy, our Government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Hamilton and in all corners of the country. We believe that every Canadian should be able to retire in dignity and this is why we are extremely happy to be supporting this first of its kind project. We are also working to improve the lives of seniors by returning the age of eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) to 65 and increasing the GIS for single seniors." ? Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

"Seniors have contributed so much to our society, and making sure that they have a safe and affordable home is one way to give back to them. This wonderful project will improve the well-being and sense of security of low-income seniors in Hamilton. When seniors are able to full participate and feel safe in our communities, we all benefit." ? The Hounourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Hamilton West?Ancaster?Dundas

"Providing affordable housing to our local ageing demographic is a key priority. On behalf of the City of Hamilton, I would like to thank our Federal partners for their contributions towards this exciting renovation project at Ken Sobel Tower. With a waitlist of over 6,000 households, it is urgent that this housing asset is brought back online so we can continue to address Hamilton's affordable housing pressures and provide low-income residents with good quality and stable housing." ? Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton

I have been very honoured to be part of the incredible momentum toward the exciting expansion of affordable housing opportunities in our beautiful North End.  Soon, Jamesville with be transformed into City Housing Hamilton's first Mixed Income Community. We have supported Hughson Baptist with 46 units of new Housing with Supports.  And now, thanks to a significant partnership from CMHC, 146 affordable units for seniors in Canada's first Passive House tower, is a reality."  ? Jason Farr, Hamilton City Councillor

Quick Facts

• CityHousing Hamilton (CHH) is the Housing Corporation owned and operated by the City of Hamilton.
• When the retrofit is completed, all 146 units of the Ken Soble Tower will be rented at affordable rates (less than average market rent in the area). The rents for 74 units, set at 69.2% of the median market rent, will be deeply affordable.
• The new building aims to achieve 75% energy savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 88% compared to the NECB 2015.
• Of the 146 units, 30 will meet NHCF accessibility requirements.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, Veterans and young adults.
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
• Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund, a National Housing Strategy initiative delivered by CMHC, will create up to 4,000 new affordable housing units and reduce the number of Canadians living in housing need.
• The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund is providing $200 million over 5 years for projects that showcase new funding models and innovative building techniques, lowering the costs and risks of financing affordable housing projects and helping to make the affordable housing sector more attractive for private market developers and investors.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

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, visit our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation