Dalton & Dave spruce up Cara Community building

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces launch of construction improvements at Cara Community building McGuinty government $853,161 investment improves social housing in Sault Ste. Marie

SAULT STE. MARIE (May 21, 2009) - David Orazietti, MPP announced today that construction improvements would begin at the Cara Community Housing complex on Old Garden River Road.

The project will be completed with the help of an $853,161 McGuinty government investment.

“Seniors and persons with disabilities in Sault Ste Marie should live in homes that are safe, affordable and in good condition,” said Orazietti. “By providing this funding to improve the Cara Community building we are helping to renew social housing and continuing our commitment to improve the quality of life for all Ontarians.”

The province is investing $853,161 to make balcony repairs, replace siding and install new windows at 101 existing social housing units in at the Cara Community project in Sault Ste, Marie.

The funding is part of a $100 million investment the province provided to 47 municipal service managers across Ontario to repair social housing units.

“With this investment in Cara Community to repair and upgrade its existing infrastructure, it will allow us to continue to provide our tenants and the community with safe, affordable housing for many years to come. These dollars will also allow Cara Community to move towards a greener, healthier and energy efficient building,” stated Linda Pastushak, administrator, Cara Community.

“We are appreciative of the funding from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing that permits Cara Community Corporation to move towards these objectives. Cara is very grateful to David Orazietti for his support, commitment and confidence in our ability to continue to serve this community.”

Investing in social housing is part of Breaking the Cycle: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, which will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 percent over five years - lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty - by boosting benefits for low-income families and enhancing publicly-funded education.

Quick facts

In the 2009 Ontario Budget the province will be investing more than $700 million for improvements to 50,000 social housing units

In the 2009 Ontario Budget the province will be investing more than $360 million to build 4500 additional affordable housing units for low-income seniors and people with disabilities

The McGuinty Government created the Rent Bank Program in 2004 and is providing $5 million annually to support low-income individuals and families - to date the City of Sault Ste. Marie has received $242,839

In 2007 the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSMSSAB) received and additional provincial capital grant of $350,000 for social housing improvements.

The McGuinty Government also provides $166,000 in annual funding to the DSSMSSAB through the Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program.

Learn more

For more information, click here.

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