Governments of Canada and Ontario Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Tavistock

Tavistock, Ontario - Funding of $742,000 for 14 new affordable housing rental units for seniors living on a low income was announcement today in Tavistock. Dave MacKenzie, Member of Parliament for Oxford, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Khalil Ramal, Member of Provincial Parliament for London-Fanshawe, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; along with Paul Holbrough, Warden of Oxford County and Don McKay, Mayor of East Zorra-Tavistock, made the announcement.

The Government of Canada wants to ensure that Canadians on fixed incomes can live with independence and dignity and remain in their communities, close to family and friends.  Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors.

Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

Today's announcement celebrates the funding for 14 new affordable rental units for seniors at 40 Woodstock Street. Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding.

The province has already approved more than $224 million for construction-ready projects, which will improve access to affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities across the province.

It will also create jobs and strengthen local economies. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca. More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan can be found at www.actionplan.gc.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan .