Feds and Queen’s Park invest in affordable housing for Owen Sound

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Ontario Construction News staff writer

Investments from the provincial and federal governments are making housing more affordable for families, individuals and seniors in Owen Sound, as $9.6 million is being made available to build housing units.

The development is known as Odawa Heights, and the project is being developed in three phases, the first two of which were delivered 28 affordable units in a 36-unit development. Residents moved into those units in 2018 and 2019.

“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home and Grey County is excited to see more affordable homes coming to Owen Sound. The Owen Sound Housing Company has done a tremendous job supporting our community with this incredibly valuable project. Thank you to everyone involved,” Paul McQueen, Grey County Warden, is quoted saying.

For the first two phases, the federal and provincial governments invested $3.4 million, through the Canada-Ontario Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement. Construction of the third phase, funded by another $6.2 million, is set to begin this spring, consisting of 54 new homes, 43 of which will be affordable housing.

This phase is being delivered through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative and the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative. Amenities will include accessible features and access to a community space.

“With our partners, we are providing a helping hand for individuals and families in need, and in doing so, we are contributing to the economic and social well-being of the entire community,” Adam Vaughan, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, is quoted saying.

Some quick facts about the investment in affordable housing:

  • The next residents are expected to move into the complex in November 2020
    The rental vacancy rate for Owen Sound in 2018 was 1.7%, according to CMHC data
  • The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 125,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50%
  • The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians
  • Ontario is investing more than $1 billion in 2019-20 to help sustain, repair and grow community housing in Ontario

“I’m pleased this funding will help Odawa Heights provide quality, innovative and affordable homes in Owen Sound to serve the people of our area, and we are pleased to partner with the federal government to deliver on provincial priorities–including projects that expand housing options for people in Ontario,” Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, is quoted saying.

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