The Ontario government is providing almost $1 million through the Social Services Relief Fund to help create four affordable housing units for seniors in Tamworth, in the Township of Stone Mills.
Located at 11 and 21 Celtic Street, the project has two bungalow style buildings which offer a total of eight one-bedroom apartments for seniors, four of which are barrier-free. Four apartments are being solely funded by Ontario with a $973,395 investment through the Social Services Relief Fund. The remaining units are being funded separately through joint provincial-federal support.
“Our government’s policies have delivered historic results in getting more homes built faster to create community and supportive housing and address homelessness over the past three years,” said Minister Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Affordable housing is a critical component of our commitment to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031, which will ensure that all Ontarians, especially our most vulnerable, have a home that meets their needs and budget.”
Friday’s announcement is part of the province’s Social Services Relief Fund, which has provided over $1.2 billion of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to help municipal service managers and Indigenous program administrators create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable people in Ontario, including those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
The Ontario government is also investing an additional $202 million each year in homelessness prevention programs – the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program – bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment to close to $700 million. This includes an increase of almost $1.4 million over the next three years through the Homelessness Prevention Program to more than double funding in Lennox and Addington, for a total of $2,454,600 annually.
“It’s incredibly important that seniors stay in their communities, attached to their social connections and support services, their families and friends,” said Ric Bresee, MPP for Hastings—Lennox and Addington. “I am absolutely thrilled that this Social Services Relief funding has helped to create these affordable units.”
“Stone Mills Township Council were more than pleased to partner with the Province of Ontario, the County of Lennox & Addington and Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services to create affordable housing in Stone Mills. This collaboration allowed us to find creative solutions to help meet the housing needs of our residents. These buildings are a welcome addition to the community, added Stone Mills Township Reeve John Wise.