Email this pageLaunch of the Long-term Affordable Housing Strategy
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The government is reaching out to housing providers, municipalities and the public to help develop a long-term affordable housing strategy for Ontario that will form a key part of the province’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.
This is an opportunity to look at the housing systems and programs already in place to make sure they work for the people who need them.
Consultation sessions will take place in Sault Ste. Marie, the Greater Toronto Area, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Sudbury and Lindsay.
The consultation document is also available on-line. Anyone unable to attend a session in person is invited to share their ideas through the website.
“We want to hear creative ideas on how to make affordable housing accessible to everyone who needs it,” said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Jim Watson, “We’re asking for help from the housing sector, our partners and the public to look at ways to improve the delivery of housing programs.”
Good for the Community and the Economy
Investing in affordable housing stimulates the economy while providing valuable community benefits; for example, every new unit of affordable housing results in two years of construction jobs.
Decent housing provides stability, security and dignity. It creates a strong base from which to find a job, raise a family, and contribute to our communities.
Building on our Commitments
As a step toward the long-term affordable housing strategy, the Province has provided $100 million in grants to Service Managers to help them make urgent repairs to social housing.
The McGuinty government has committed to continuing its partnership with the federal government through a combined $1.2 billion investment to repair social housing units, make them more efficient, to create new housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, and to extend the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program and social housing infrastructure funding.
Related Links
Participate in the consultations on-line at www.ontario.ca/housingstrategy.