June 16, 2009
McGuinty Government Seeks Input on Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy
Ontario is developing a long-term affordable housing strategy and is inviting Sault Ste. Marie residents, community groups and professionals in the local housing sector to participate in consultations.
Participants will be asked to share their ideas on how to improve and streamline housing services and programs to make them work for the people who need access to adequate, suitable and affordable housing.
Residents can also share their input by visiting www.Ontario.ca/housingstrategy.
Developing a long-term affordable housing strategy is an important part of Breaking the Cycle: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, which will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over five years — lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty — by boosting benefits for low–income families and enhancing publicly–funded education.
QUOTES
“Affordable housing affects every individual and family in our community. The Ontario government wants to hear creative ideas on how to make affordable housing accessible to everyone who needs it.”
MPP David Orazietti
“This is the time to look at the housing systems and programs we have in place and make sure they work for the people in this province, now, and in the future.”
Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
QUICK FACTS
- The Ontario government has provided $100 million in grants to Service Managers to help them make urgent repairs to social housing. Of this funding, Sault Ste. Marie received over $850,000.
- Every new unit of affordable housing results in two years of employment for a person working in the housing sector.
- The province, in partnership with the federal government, has committed $1.2 billion in investment to repair and regenerate social housing units, create new housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, and to extend the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
LEARN MORE
ontario.ca/housingstrategy
