Orazietti announces $4.9 million for social housing

$4.9 million in provincial social-housing cash announced today will be shared among 16 local and district not-for-profit housing groups, says Sault Ste. Marie Commissioner of Social Services Kim Streich-Poser.

Arnie Gallo, Northern Ontario district manager for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, today joined Sault MPP David Orazietti (shown) to announce the new money for social housing in the area.

The funding will be used to upgrade existing social housing by making it more energy efficient and accessible to people with special needs, said Streich-Poser after today's announcement at the Columbus Club of Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation on Northern Avenue East.

The full text of Orazietti's release follows.

*********************** Orazietti announces $4.9 million for social housing renovations in Sault Ste. Marie

McGuinty government investments helping low-income Ontarians reach their full potential

SAULT STE. MARIE - The McGuinty Government and the Government of Canada, are supporting low-income tenants in Sault Ste. Marie by providing $4.9 million to repair and improve social housing units David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“In addition to the creation of the rent bank and new funding to improve Cara Community, today's support for repairs and retrofits is part of our government's continuing commitment to improve affordable housing in our community," said Orazietti. “This new funding will help ensure that Sault residents living in social housing have the shelter they need to reach their full potential.”

The funding was made available as a result of a $1.2 billion joint investment under the Canada - Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of Ontario.

The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.

The Columbus Club of Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation will receive $54,000 for a roof replacement as part of this allocation.

Additional housing repair projects will be allocated to local housing providers by the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSMSSAB) before March 30, 2011.

“The District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board is very pleased to receive $4.9 million over the next two years to rehabilitate the social housing stock in Sault Ste. Marie. These funds from the Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit program will be distributed among our social housing providers and will go a long way to upgrade roofs, windows, doors, heating systems and insulation as well as improve accessibility,” said David Edgar, vice-chair, DSSMSSAB.

Ontario is moving quickly to invest a total of $704 million to repair eligible social housing across the province.

In an effort to get shovels in the ground quickly, projects must be committed by the end of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011. 

The funding will help improve the quality of life for residents living in social housing communities.

Funding will be used to renovate and make energy-saving upgrades to existing social housing as well as to undertake accessibility modifications for the benefit of seniors and persons with disabilities. 

It will also create jobs and strengthen local economies. 

To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, click here.

Quick facts

- The McGuinty government has provided $1.2 million in grants to the Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board to help them make urgent repairs to social housing.

- 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 $278,471 which has prevented the eviction of over 400 families in Sault Ste. Marie.

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

- Every new unit of affordable housing results in two years of employment for a person working in the housing sector.

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