Two New Affordable Housing Projects Open in Kingston

KINGSTON, Ontario, July 19, 2007 — Canada’s New Government, the Government of Ontario and the City of Kingston held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to mark the official opening of Elizabeth Fry Society — Kaye Healey Homes and Tipi Moza (Iron Homes), two new projects that will create eight units of affordable housing for families and single people in Kingston under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development; the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Mayor Harvey Rosen.

“By creating new affordable housing our government is supporting lower-income individuals and families while they work to get ahead,” said Minister Flaherty. “The creation of these units will allow families and individuals in Kingston to live in safe, quality housing at an affordable cost.”

“Affordable housing is a priority for the McGuinty government,” said Minister Gerretsen. “We are proud to support initiatives such as these, which will provide long-term affordable housing for families and single people with lower income in Kingston.”

Elizabeth Fry Society – Kaye Healey Homes is a $615,000 project sponsored by the Elizabeth Homes Society of Kingston, and includes $174,000 from the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The project will create six units for families and single people in Kingston.

Federal and provincial allocation was complemented by more than $30,000 in municipal financial incentives.

Tipi Moza (Iron Homes) converted unused office space to provide two units of fully-accessible affordable housing for aboriginal families. The project received $140,000 in funding under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

“It is a pleasure to formally acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Board Members and staff of Tipi Moza (Iron Homes) and the Elizabeth Fry Society in bringing to fruition two new Affordable Housing Projects within the City of Kingston,” stated Mayor Rosen. “With additional funding and support from the City’s Rent Supplement Program, these units will provide seven families with even greater housing subsidies and a more secure future within our fine community.”

"The need for safe and affordable housing for women and children in the greater Kingston area remains high,” said Trish Crawford, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston. “The completion of our housing project is making a positive contribution to this need, and furthers the Elizabeth Fry Society's commitment to the women in our community."

“The official opening of Tipi Moza’s Affordable Housing project marks a momentous event for aboriginal families in Kingston,” noted Jackie Callow, Chair of Tipi Moza (Iron Homes). “This event underscores the efforts of all parties to address the increasing need for affordable, accessible, urban aboriginal housing and Tipi Moza looks forward to similar successes and on-going partnerships with all three levels of government.”

The new Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement 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.

For more information, please contact:

Carlene Siopis
Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation
416-250-3297

Patti Munce
Minister Gerretsen’s Office
416-585-6333

Geoff Coons
Executive Assistant to the Mayor
613-546-4291 ext. 1400

Susan Bacque
Affordable Housing Inquiries
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-7021