The Canadian government has announced a combined investment of nearly $132 Million to support the construction of over 380 units. These units will house indigenous peoples and veterans and will provide varying levels of accessibility and affordability.
The first project will be operated by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 and will replace the existing building with a nine-storey accessible tower. It will include:
- 107 units
- More than 30 percent will be affordable units
- Restaurant
- Meeting rooms
- Hall
- Gathering place
News Ontario reports that this project received $32.1 million in federal funding through the National Housing Co-investment Fund (NHCF) and $1.9 million from Veteran's Housing Ontario Inc.
The second portfolio of projects will be owned and operated by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), with nine projects serving communities across Ontario, creating 276 affordable units to support indigenous people who are experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness, and others will support at-risk indigenous youth and women and their children.
Yahoo! states that this portfolio of projects will receive nearly $87 million in federal funding through the NHCF. Approximately $3.7 million has also been pledged by the federal government and the Province of Ontario through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) bilateral agreement to build 45 units in Sault Ste. Marie and London, as well as $7.2 million from OAHS in the form of land and cash equity.
"Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. With this announcement, we are supporting of the needs of Indigenous Peoples, veterans, youth and women and their children in Sault Ste. Marie and other communities across the region. This funding will make it possible for hundreds of Indigenous people and veterans in Ontario to access new homes, taking a crucial step towards addressing the need for affordable housing in these communities. This is one of the many ways our government's National Housing Strategy is ensuring that no one is left behind."
Minister of Housing & Diversity and Inclusion | The Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Construction of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 project is expected to be completed by December 2023 and the construction of the OAHS portfolio of projects is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.