Federal government funds rapid housing projects in London, Hamilton and Kingston
The federal government has announced combined funding of more than $31 million to support the construction of more than 120 rapid housing units in London, Hamilton and Kingston.
The announcements were made at separate events in late July.
In London, the government announced funding of $10.8 million to create 49 new affordable homes. The unites will support people who are in uncertain housing situations, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in temporary shelters because of the pandemic.
The funding is in addition to the Government of Canada's previous investment of $7.5 million through the first phase of the Rapid Housing Initiative to support the creation of 61 housing units in London.
The government also announced an investment of $11.6 million to build a 65-unit apartment complex at 191 Commissioners Road W. This project, which was proposed by P.A.M. Gardens Non-profit Housing, will provide a mix of affordable and market rent units, including 33 allocated to vulnerable individuals and those on London's housing waitlist.
The funding for the Commissioners Road project is being delivered through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), which supports new and revitalization construction of mixed-income, mixed-tenure, and mixed-use affordable housing, and is a key pillar of the National Housing Strategy (NHS).
"We've made it our goal in London to achieve functional zero for chronic homelessness within five years, and these types of strategic investments are what's going to help us get there,” said Mayor Ed Holder. “Solving this crisis speaks to who we are as a community, and who we are as Londoners. We have everyone pulling in the same direction on this issue, and I am grateful to our partners at the Federal Government and CMHC for their ongoing support.”
In Kingston, meanwhile, $7.4 million has been earmarked to build an estimated 28 new affordable homes for individuals and families. Those units will also support people living in uncertain housing situations, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in temporary shelters because of the pandemic.
And in Hamilton, the government has pledged $12.9 million to create as many as 49 new affordable homes. That funding is on top of the government’s previous investment of $10.8 million through the first phase of the Rapid Housing Initiative.
Featured image: The federal government announced an investment of $11.6 million to build a 65-unit apartment complex at 191 Commissioners Road West in London. (CMHC/Twitter)