Province expands Infrastructure Ontario's loan
program
Social and Affordable Housing Providers Now Eligible
TORONTO, Dec. 10 / The McGuinty government is expanding
Infrastructure Ontario's highly successful loan program, committing to provide up to $500 million in financing for social and affordable housing providers.
This latest expansion of the loan program supports key government
priorities, including Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy - which is designed to build a stronger economy by creating more opportunity for all low-income families and children. The strategy sets a goal of reducing child poverty by 25 per cent in five years - lifting 90,000 children out of poverty.
"Enabling social and affordable housing providers access to low-cost
loans will have a remarkable impact on low-income families," said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. "In fact, the loan to Green Phoenix benefits existing tenants by lowering their utility bills and helps our environment by providing cleaner, greener energy for the entire building. It's a tremendous example of how we can bring together many goals into one project."
The Green Phoenix project is the redevelopment of Phoenix Place, an
11-storey non-profit affordable housing project built in 1976 by Parkdale
United Church Foundation. The building was erected on the site of the old
Parkdale United Church, offering 136 units to tenants with modest to low
incomes.
"Affordable housing plays a crucial role in ensuring the strength and
diversity of our communities," said Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "The expansion of Infrastructure Ontario's loan program to include financing for social and affordable housing is a terrific step forward for our province."
The Poverty Reduction Strategy, announced last week, represents an
additional annual investment of over $1.4 billion at full implementation -
including $300 million in new targeted initiatives. It includes implementing
full-day learning for four and five year olds with an initial focus on
low-income neighbourhoods. Legislation will be introduced next Spring that, if passed, would commit Ontario to annual reporting on key indicators of opportunity such as income levels, school success, health care and housing.
"A safe, warm place to call home is extremely important for ensuring the stability and well-being of Ontario's families," added Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services and Chair of the province's Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction. "If people living in poverty are going to find opportunity, they need a stable, affordable place to live."
"We're very excited to begin the retrofit phase of the Green Phoenix
project with Infrastructure Ontario's help," said Rod Layman, project manager at Green Phoenix. "Having geothermal and solar plant and ventilation systems will make a big difference for everyone's comfort, and help keep the place affordable for decades to come. It is expected to lower overall utility costs by 65 per cent and will reduce the site's greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent, or about 1,100 tonnes every year."
Applications are now being accepted from social and affordable housing providers at www.infrastructureontario.ca. Infrastructure Ontario's Loan Program is one of the approaches that the government is using to renew Ontario's public infrastructure. To date, more than $1.8 billion has been provided to support more than 650 infrastructure projects around the province.
