For Immediate Release
August 31, 2005
McGUINTY GOVERNMENT DELIVERS OVER $5 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE KINGSTON AREA
KINGSTON – The McGuinty government is improving access to housing for the Kingston area’s most vulnerable residents by investing $5,050,000 into affordable housing.
$3,850,000 is being allocated to the Kingston area to create 55 new units of affordable housing. In addition, $1,200,000 will go towards housing allowances for 80 units in the area. John Gerretsen, MPP for Kingston and The Islands, who is also the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, made the announcement today.
“Our government believes that access to safe, affordable housing is a basic human right,” said Gerretsen. “I am so pleased that the Kingston area will be receiving over $5 million to assist our most vulnerable residents find the dignity and security that comes with having a place to call home.”
This funding is part of an overall investment of $402 million, announced today, under the first wave of allocations of the new Affordable Housing Agreement signed by the provincial and federal governments in April. The agreement sets aside $80 million for 5,000 new housing allowances in Ontario, all allocated today and 500 of which are set aside to assist victims of domestic violence. $322 million is also being allocated today to create more than 5,300 new affordable units across the province. Some $24 million of this capital allocation has been set aside as part of the “Strong Start” initiative, which will fast-track the development of up to 500 units across the province during the next year.
All of Ontario’s 47 municipal service managers are receiving funding allocations today, and they will play an integral role in delivering new affordable housing to their communities.
“We received tremendous support and valuable input from our municipal partners as we worked towards signing the new Affordable Housing Agreement,” said Gerretsen. “With today’s announcement, communities like Kingston can now move forward and help us deliver affordable housing to the people in our communities who need it the most.”
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