Governments of Canada and Ontario celebrate new affordable housing in Sarnia

SARNIA, ON, July 23, 2019 /CNW/ - More seniors will soon have a place to call home in Sarnia. The federal and provincial governments are investing over $1.9 million to create 19 new affordable homes in Sarnia through the Canada-Ontario Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement.

The units are part of a new four-storey apartment building planned for the grounds of the Vision Nursing and Rest Home. Once complete, the building will have 36 new units for seniors in the community.

The Vision Nursing and Rest Home is run by Vision 74 Inc., a charitable organization that provides holistic, compassionate, long-term, recovery and respite care services in Sarnia-Lambton. 

Quotes:

"Seniors, like every Canadian, deserve a safe and affordable place to call home. Thanks to the National Housing Strategy we are building new homes right here in Sarnia, and all across Canada, ensuring seniors have the opportunity to age safely and remain connected to their communities. We know that when seniors feel safe and can age in place, our communities and all Canadians benefit." ? The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors

"Our government is proud to help seniors in Sarnia, and right across this province, find a safe and comfortable home they can afford. In everything our government does, every program, every policy and every investment, we are putting people first." ? The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Quick facts:

• The new building will have 21 one-bedroom and 15 studio apartments, most of which are affordable housing.
• Vision Nursing and Rest Home is a 146-bed long-term care home, including 10 recovery beds and three short-stay beds for those who need temporary supportive care.
• The governments of Canada and Ontario have partnered together to deliver the IAH program since 2011. Under the IAH, Ontario and the federal government are investing a total of $1.9 billion to improve access to affordable housing across Ontario.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• Ontario is investing in the community housing system that was neglected for years, providing $1 billion in 2019-20 to help sustain, repair and grow community housing in Ontario.

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 visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Ontario is committed to increasing housing supply across the province, while getting the best value for taxpayers. Cutting red tape will bring housing to market faster ? leading to lower housing costs and helping people keep more of their hard-earned dollars. For more information on affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing or follow us on Twitter.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation