For Immediate Release
October 26, 2006
TORONTO – The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario today allocated funding for a minimum of 300 units under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program to be built specifically on cleaned up brownfield sites.
The announcement of the Affordable Housing Program – Brownfields Initiative was made today by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, and John Gerretsen, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
"Canada's new government is proud to contribute to the development of new affordable housing units at Toronto's brownfield sites that are now clean, green and safe," said Minister Finley. "We will be providing hundreds of families with secure, affordable housing and a better quality of life, and at the same time breathing new neighbourhood life into an area that has been dormant."
"This initiative brings together two priorities of the McGuinty government – the creation of new affordable housing and the redevelopment of brownfields,” said Minister Gerretsen. “When brownfield sites have been cleaned-up, they make ideal locations for affordable housing projects, as they are often located in downtown cores close to transit, services and other amenities that can provide assistance to persons in need in Ontario.”
Brownfield sites are former industrial or commercial properties that are underutilized, derelict or vacant. The funding would pay for the clean-up of the brownfield sites, and the construction of new affordable housing on the remediated sites.
Municipalities across Ontario will be invited to submit proposals for affordable housing projects to be built on brownfield sites in their community under the Affordable Housing Program.
The new Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for 20,000 households in Ontario.
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Media Inquiries:
Patti Munce
Office of Minister Gerretsen
416 585-6333
Randy Hodge
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416 585-6566
Colleen Cameron
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482
Kathie Howes
CMHC
416 218-3488
