CHATHAM-KENT CELEBRATES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING

May 21, 2009

CHATHAM-KENT – The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent today celebrated the opening of 16 new affordable rental units in two projects.  These projects are supported by over $1 million in funding through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

Dave Van Kesteren Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent–Essex, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister Responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Pat Hoy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Chatham-Kent–Essex, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Chatham-Kent Councillor Bill Weaver; and affordable housing sponsors Nasr Nasr, from Remmcor Ltd., and Patricia Arango, from Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre Inc., attended the ceremony.

"The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most," said MP Van Kesteren. “With the opening of these projects, individuals and families will now have access to safe and supportive housing that meets their specific needs.”

“I want to extend thanks and congratulations to the developers and community groups who are making it possible to celebrate progress on our housing initiatives,” said MPP Hoy.  “They are providing safe, economical and beautiful housing within the community for low income families and individuals.”

Today’s announcement recognizes two housing projects in Chatham-Kent, totaling over $1 million in capital costs:

• 12 affordable housing units in a 14-unit complex, sponsored by Remcor Ltd., received $840,000 under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.  The units will be occupied by lower-income individuals, including persons with disabilities.
• 4 affordable housing units in a 5-unit project, sponsored by the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre Inc., received $240,000 under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The units will be occupied by families and individuals with special needs.

The federal and provincial allocations to the projects were complemented by over $119,000 in municipal financial incentives.

“The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is committed to providing safe, affordable housing options for residents,” said Chatham-Kent Councillor Bill Weaver. “Projects such as these are made successful by all three levels of government working very closely together.”

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 up to 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.