Local affordable housing providers are applauding the federal government’s announcement of $97 million to help build 270 affordable housing units and repair 8,399 units in Hamilton, Halton Region and Niagara Region.
“It is the most amazing investment,” Lori-Anne Gagne, chief executive officer of Victoria Park Community Homes, told CBC Hamilton.
Victoria Park Community Homes, a private non-profit housing provider with more than 35 properties, was one of 17 projects announced on Tuesday as local recipients of federal funding. It will receive one of the largest sums — $20 million to repair 2,000 units.
Gagne said the money will benefit thousands of people, many of whom include mothers and children escaping domestic violence, newcomers and people experiencing homelessness.
Housing Minister Sean Fraser visited Hamilton to make the announcement. The federal government made similar announcements in other parts of the country on Tuesday.
He said he thinks the government will fill the existing supply gap of houses by the early 2030s and this announcement is part of a larger strategy.
“I don’t want to live in a country where the most vulnerable members of our community are ignored,” Fraser told reporters on Tuesday.
“Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. We can afford to provide housing for our most vulnerable and, in my view, we can’t afford not to.”
Funding to help ‘most vulnerable people’ in community
The $97 million comes from the government’s Affordable Housing Fund, which has over $14 billion in it for housing Canada-wide. That fund isn’t new, but Tuesday’s announcement was the first time the government shared how much money is going into different regions.
Projects in Hamilton will account for at least $24,731,924 of the $97 million. Projects in Niagara will account for $43,718,135 and projects in Halton will account for at least $2,246,659.
It comes at a time when, in 70 encampments across Hamilton, about 220 people continue to live in tents — up from 200 last year, according to the city.
The feds are covering part of the total cost of each of the 17 local projects. Victoria Park Community Homes and Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes told CBC Hamilton the government is covering 40 per cent of the total project costs for them.
While most of the $97 million will go toward repairs, Fraser said those are key to help bring some affordable housing units back online and ensure other aging units won’t deteriorate and be inhabitable.
If the money only goes toward creating new units, “we may be only building at the same place units are taken offline because of the state of disrepair,” he said.
Fraser couldn’t say what the timelines are for each project, but said there are things in place to make sure the work doesn’t drag on for too long.
Gagne, from Victoria Park Community Homes, said the government’s money will also allow affordable housing providers to spend money on building new units instead of focusing on repairs.
Brian Sibley, executive director of Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes, said some of the money will help units become more energy efficient, as well as helping keep units in good condition.
“We’re trying to make sure these buildings are well-maintained and safe and it’s been difficult to do that over the last 30 years,” he said. The organization is receiving $6.5 million to repair 650 units. Other projects include shelter spaces in Hamilton and Thorold and apartments in Niagara Falls.
“It’s a significant investment,” Sibley said. “This money is targeting the most vulnerable people in our community.”