Guelph: The Silver Maple Seniors Community of Guelph will be receiving receiving $38.9 million in funding from the federal government, and an additional $2.9 million in joint federal-provincial funding.
Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, alongside Mike Harris, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener — Conestoga, Cam Guthrie, Mayor of Guelph, Kelly Linton, Warden of Wellington County, and Brendan Lane, Chair of the Board of Directors for St. Joseph’s Housing Corporation, made the announcement last week.
This funding is being delivered through CMHC’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), which supports new and revitalization construction of mixed-income, mixed-tenure, and mixed-use affordable housing.
The NHCF is a key pillar of the Government of Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS). The joint federal-provincial funding is being provided through the Investment in Affordable Housing, Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative and Canada – Ontario Community Housing Initiative programs.
The Silver Maple Seniors Community, being developed in partnership with Amico Affiliates, will include a 7-storey apartment building with a total of 115 units designed to help seniors live independently.
St. Joseph’s Housing Corporation is providing and operating non-profit seniors’ residential accommodation along with associated recreation, education, cultural activities and other programs. St. Joseph’s Housing Corporation currently operates The Residences of St. Joseph’s, an 80-unit affordable housing apartment building for Ahmed Hussen said: “Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through investments like this right here in Guelph our Government is helping create new jobs and stimulate the economy while providing access to safe, affordable homes the meet the needs of Canada’s seniors. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”
Lloyd Longfield added: “Through the National Housing Strategy, our Government is prioritizing Canadians in the most housing need, including seniors.
“These investments make a big difference in building a more sustainable future by increasing the supply of more affordable and accessible homes. This announcement today of 115 new units, designed for independent senior living, is wonderful news for the seniors in our community that will move into these safe and supportive homes.”
• $2,320,395 of the $38.9 million in loans will be forgivable.
• 56.52% of the new units will be affordable, for a total of 65 units.
• 20% of the units will meet NHCF accessibility requirements, for a total of 23 units.
• The project aims to reduce energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 27.10% and 30.20% respectively over the 2015 NECB.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, the NHCF gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans and
young adults.
• Through the NHCF, Ottawa will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes.
• Under the NHCF, investments are also planned to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence, as well as create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $70+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home — this includes more than $13 billion committed through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.