Forty-two affordable housing units coming to Welland
January 18, 2022
Forty-two affordable housing units coming to Welland
The federal government is investing $10.5 million to create 42 new affordable homes for individuals and families in Welland. A graphic provided by the government shows a building to go up at 60 York St., behind the Provincial Offences Court on East Main Street. CNW GROUP/GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
An affordable housing development to be built in Welland will cater to victims of domestic violence and Black and Indigenous people.
Everyone deserves safe and affordable housing, a place to call home, says Ahmed Hussen, minister of housing and diversity and inclusion, and minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CHMC).
“We understand how important this is, especially in the face of the pandemic when people are dealing with housing challenges.
“We are all here because we believe affordable housing should not be a luxury. It’s how parents plan for the future of their children. It’s the difference between making ends meet and getting ahead. Affordable housing is vital to the well-being of all Canadians,” said Hussen.
In a virtual announcement Tuesday, he said the Liberal government is investing $10.5 million to create an estimated 42 affordable homes for individuals and families in Welland.
Hussen said the housing will support the most vulnerable residents, and give a fresh start to those in uncertain housing situations, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in temporary shelters because of the pandemic.
“So no one will be left behind.”
A graphic provided by the government shows a building to go up at 60 York St., behind the Provincial Offences Court on East Main Street.
The property — the court and new build — was once home to Empire Public School and DSBN Academy.
Of the 42 units, 12 are for women and children fleeing domestic violence, 10 for people experiencing homelessness or at risk, nine for people with physical disabilities, six for Indigenous people, and five for Black Canadians.
Construction will start this November and take a year.
The build will create jobs and help stimulate the local economy, said Hussen.
Funding comes through the Rapid Housing Initiative, delivered by CMHC under the National Housing Strategy — a 10-year, $70-plus billion plan to create a new generation of housing in Canada.
Mayor Frank Campion said the project fills a need in Welland.
“We have a lot of housing initiatives in Welland but the one we probably need the most at this point is affordable housing.”
Campion said the project, to be run by Niagara Regional Housing, will allow people to get into housing and have shelter, which can help stabilize individuals and families.
“It gives them a mailing address, a home as opposed to being in housing.”
The mayor said it’s in a good location being close to bus routes, pharmacies, medical facilities and access to Seaway Mall and other shopping locations.
“What it does is create a stronger, more inclusive community.”
With the Rapid Housing Initiative, the mayor said the city and the people who will live in the new building won’t have to wait five years for it to be constructed.
“That’s a positive,” he said.
Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey said the availability of affordable housing is limited, and that’s why the new homes will make a difference toward ending the cycle of homelessness.
“It will have a huge impact on our most vulnerable citizens here in Niagara,” he said.
St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik, chair of Niagara Regional Housing, said at the end of last year there were more than 7,500 households on the waiting list for affordable housing in the region.
“This project offers a beacon of hope to these individuals,” said Sendzik, adding it’s a significant build for Welland.
“We’re not concerned what community gets what. We’re concerned about what can benefit the entire community. People need safe places to live.”
Quick Facts
The Rapid Housing Initiative is delivered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. under the National Housing Strategy.
The RHI is a $1-billion program that was launched in October 2020 to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians, especially in the context of COVID-19, through the rapid construction of affordable housing.
The first phase of the RHI was successful, and $1.5 billion was added to the program in Budget 2021. This investment is divided into two streams: The Cities Stream, $500 million in funding to municipalities across Canada; The Projects Stream, $1 billion will be allocated to eligible applications submitted during the RHI’s initial application period last fall and having not yet received funding.
At least 25 per cent of this new funding will go toward women-focused housing projects. The units will be built within 12 months of when funding is provided to program applicants.
The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the strategy, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, racialized and Black Canadians, and recent immigrants or refugees.
