Over $1 billion is being set aside by the provincial government to help sustain, repair and grow community housing and help end homelessness.
MPP Daryl Kramp announced today Hastings – Lennox and Addington counties will receive more than $6.75 million for these initiatives as part of the new Ontario Community Housing Renewal Strategy.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark says their plan will transform a fragmented and inefficient system into one that is more streamlined, sustainable and ready to help those who need it most.
Under the funding, Hastings and Lennox and Addington counties will receive:
- $1,109,600 in Investment in Affordable Housing Ontario funding
- $2,979,908 through the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative
- $1,762,500 under the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative
- $269,337 from the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative
Ontario’s new Community Housing Renewal Strategy includes:
- Encouraging tenants to seek opportunities at school and work by removing existing penalties for working more hours or going to college or university
- Making rent more predictable by simplifying rent calculations
- Freeing up the waitlist by having tenants prioritize their first choice and accept the unit they are offered, while allowing Service Managers flexibility to make exceptions in some circumstances
- Protecting tenants who receive child support by ensuring their rent isn’t impacted by payments
- Making housing available to those who truly need it by requiring an asset test
- Making housing safer by empowering housing providers to turn away tenants who have been evicted for criminal activity
