ORILLIA,
ON, June 20, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the
Government of Canada and the
Government of Ontario announced a
combined investment of over $8.1 million to build 42 new affordable
homes in Orillia.
Orillia Development, located at
250 West Street North, counts 130 affordable
apartments ranging from studio to three-bedroom sizes for seniors,
families, and individuals. The project will also have a community
room and social services hub.
A breakdown of the funding for this housing project
includes:
- $4.8 million from the Ontario
Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI)
- $3.3 million from the
Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI)
OPHI and COCHI are both initiatives of the Canada-Ontario
Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
Construction started in October
2021, and the first residential tenants are moving in
throughout spring 2024.
Quotes:
"Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.
And, we will keep working with partners, like Ontario, to make this a reality for all
Canadians. I am proud that we could support these apartments and
wish everyone moving into their new homes the very best as they
start these new chapters." – The Honourable Sean Fraser,
Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
"This funding will not only provide the affordable housing that
the residents of Orillia need, but
also build a community in which they can thrive. We've heard across
the province that we need to match housing with wraparound services
so that residents have the resources and help they need to unleash
a better future. Our government will continue to work closely with
our federal and municipal partners because we know that
collaboration is key to solving the housing supply
crisis." – The Honourable Paul Calandra, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Housing
"I am delighted to join Minister Calandra today for this
important announcement that marks a significant step forward for
our community. The establishment of new residential housing units,
along with onsite resources and community agencies, will provide
much-needed support and stability for residents. This initiative
reflects our government's commitment to addressing housing needs
and enhancing community well-being, and by working collaboratively
with our federal partners, local organizations, and community
stakeholders, we are making tangible progress in ensuring that
everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. I extend my
gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this project to
fruition." – The Honourable Jill Dunlop, Member of Provincial
Parliament for Simcoe North
"This new development in Orillia not only provides essential housing
solutions for seniors, families, and individuals, but also
integrates vital community services, enhancing the overall
well-being of our residents. As we face the ongoing affordable
housing crisis, this project stands as a testament to a collective
commitment among all levels of government to ensure that everyone
has access to safe and affordable housing. This initiative will
support a stronger, more inclusive Orillia and we extend our gratitude to the
Federal and Provincial government for their substantial funding
commitment towards this project and to the County of Simcoe for our
ongoing partnership as we work together to provide homes and hope
to those in need in our community." – City of Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac
"The County of Simcoe is incredibly grateful to our partners at
the federal and provincial governments for their support in
Building Up homes, lives, and hope in our communities. The funding
they provided for the County Orillia Campus ensures that there are
130 new affordable places for seniors, families, and individuals to
live right here in Orillia. This
new campus will provide homes, support and services for countless
individuals in our community for a very long time. County
Council would like to thank both the federal and provincial
governments for partnering with us to build up the lives of our
residents." - Warden Basil
Clarke, County of Simcoe
Quick facts:
- Canada's National Housing
Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $82-plus billion plan that will give more
Canadians a place to call home.
- As of December 31, 2023, the
federal government has committed over $42.99
billion to support the creation of almost 135,000 units and
the repair of over 270,000 units. These measures prioritize those
in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people
experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children
fleeing violence.
- The Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) is a
program under the CMHC-Ontario Bilateral Agreement. This 10-year
agreement provides more than $378.2
million to protect, renew and expand community housing,
support Ontario's priorities
related to housing repair, construction and affordability, and
deliver direct affordability support to Ontarians who need housing.
OPHI provides flexible funding to address local housing priorities
and improve access to affordable housing options. The initiative
helps to increase the affordable housing supply and improve the
state of repair of community housing stock.
- The Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI)
provides funding to repair, regenerate and expand community housing
so tenants can live in a home that is affordable. It can also be
used to support community housing providers whose original program
arrangements are expiring and help them to become more
sustainable.
Related links:
- Visit canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of
Canada housing information.
- 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. CMHC's
aim is that everyone in Canada has
a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more
information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter,
Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
- Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly
at www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing Funding Initiatives
Map shows affordable housing projects that have been
developed.
- Ontario's most recent
legislation – Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes – is the latest
in a series of steps taken by the province to help more people find
a home they can afford.
- Ontario is taking action to
address the housing supply crisis and has set an ambitious goal of
getting at least 1.5 million new homes built by 2031.
- For more information on affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing or
follow us on Twitter.
SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)