Niagara Falls, ON – The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, Niagara Region, the City of Niagara Falls, and Niagara Regional Housing today celebrated the opening of a new affordable housing apartment complex in Niagara Falls. The housing development is supported by $1.4 million in funding under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C. Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice, and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); Kim Craitor, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara Falls, on behalf of Jim Bradley, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Member of Provincial Parliament for St. Catharines; Peter Partington, Niagara Regional Chairman; Ted Salci, Mayor of Niagara Falls and Phil Ritchie of Keefer Developments Ltd. attended the event.
“The Government of Canada is helping Canadians during these tough economic times,” said Minister Nicholson. “Here in Niagara Falls, this achievement gives hope to residents who need quality affordable housing that meets their needs”.
“The Ontario government is pleased to help deliver quality affordable housing in Niagara Falls because we know it is essential to the community’s health and well-being,” said MPP Craitor.  “I want to extend thanks and congratulations to the developers and community groups who are making it possible to celebrate progress on our housing initiatives.” 

The 20-unit Morrison Street Apartments located at 4525 Morrison Street received $1.4 million funded through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.  The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $85,000 in municipal financial incentives by the City of Niagara Falls.

“This housing project exemplifies Niagara Region’s commitment to working with our federal, provincial and municipal partners to improve access to quality, affordable housing for the people of Niagara,” said Peter Partington, Chairman, Niagara Region. 

"We are putting roofs over the heads of the people that need them most in our City,” said Mayor Ted Salci. “Finally, the dire need for affordable housing in Niagara Falls is closer to being met.  Keefer Development's housing community on Morrison Street is one more partner project between the Federal, Provincial, Regional, Municipal Governments and Niagara Regional Housing that is making a difference."

“Keefer Developments is thrilled to partner with all levels of government, Niagara Regional Housing, and our public sector partners to complete this smart growth project that sustainably enhances the community in downtown Niagara,” said Phil Ritchie, President, Keefer Developments Ltd. “This project is the first non-smoking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified apartment building in Niagara.  We are lucky to attract good people, and business partners who believe in the work we do.”

The 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 up to 20,000 households in Ontario.

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and up to another $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.  Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2 billion joint investment under the amended Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement.  The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.  For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.