National Housing Day Marked by Discussions of Innovation
NIAGARA REGION, November 21, 2016 – To commemorate National Housing Day on November 22, Niagara Regional Housing (NRH) is partnering with Niagara Region Community Services and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to discuss innovative solutions to the shortage of affordable housing in Niagara at a panel discussion in Welland. Developers, housing providers and community agencies have been invited to learn more about CMHC's Innovation Fund and best practices in affordable housing to spark interest in affordable development partnerships in Niagara.
CMHC is looking for unique ideas, new funding models and innovative building techniques to revolutionize the rental housing sector. The $200 million Innovation Fund was established to help create up to 4,000 new affordable rental units over 5 years, reducing the number of Canadians living in housing need and the reliance on long-term government subsidies. Funding is available to individuals and organizations who want to build affordable rental housing in Canadian communities where there is a demonstrated need.
"Housing is an important component of our Government's overall approach to strengthening the middle class, promoting inclusive growth for Canadians, and helping to lift more people out of poverty, said Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Children, Families and Social Development, Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. "We're excited about this initiative because we believe that innovation is important to building a strong and vibrant housing sector for Canada."
Innovative solutions that create new affordable rental units support Niagara's 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan by increasing opportunities and options across the housing continuum. "This event provides an opportunity to bring private developers and service agencies in Niagara together to learn about resources they could access to help them innovate to create new affordable rental units in Niagara, said Paul Grenier, NRH Board Chair and Welland Regional Councillor. "Creating new affordable housing is a crucial goal of Niagara's ten year Housing and Homelessness action plan."
With more than 4,500 households on the Centralized Waiting List, NRH is excited about the prospect of new affordable rental units. "The Affordable Rental Housing Innovation Fund is an exciting opportunity for development in Niagara" said Donna Woiceshyn, Interim CEO of Niagara Regional Housing. I hope that local developers will take advantage of this chance."
National Housing Day commemorates the 1998 declaration by the Big City Mayor's Caucus that homelessness in Canada had reached crisis proportions. NRH administers affordable housing on behalf of Niagara Region.
Contact
Wendy Thompson
Niagara Regional Housing
905-682-9201, ext. 3937
Wendy.thompson@niagararegion.ca
Angelina Ritacco
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
647-210-7420
aritacco@cmhc.ca