Government of Canada Invests in Habitat for Humanity Canada to support new and repair existing affordable housing
Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why, in May 2018, the Government launched the National Housing Co-Investment fund (NHCF), the largest program of its kind in Canadian history.
On August 13, 2019 the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a $32.4 million financial commitment over three years (2019-2021) from the federal government to Habitat for Humanity Canada and its affiliate organizations across Canada.
With this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and the work of Habitat for Humanity and its affiliate organizations, approximately 405 new homes will be created across the country and approximately 105 units will be repaired and renewed supporting lower income families in communities in every province and territory across Canada. These homes will meet the NHCF accessibility and energy efficiency targets and will serve a range of vulnerable populations including single parents, Indigenous peoples, peoples with disabilities and seniors.
“The investment made by the Government of Canada (CMHC) through the National Housing Strategy Co-Investment Fund will enable HFHOGN to apply for a share of the $10+ million allocated to Habitat Canada each year over the next three years,” said Steven Klinck, Communications Officer for Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North. “This funding is desperately needed capital to be used in the creation of home ownership opportunities for local families in need of a hand up. The associated criteria encourages us to exceed our yearly baseline for families served while building to exceed the current minimum energy efficiency standards and to increase the supply of accessible homes. The name ‘Co-Investment Fund’ is appropriate in that partnerships with provincial and municipal governments are required in order to meet the eligibility criteria of the fund. We’ll be looking to enhance our existing partnerships with the District Municipality of Muskoka and the urban centers within the district territory, all of which share our mission of increasing the supply of affordable housing in our region. Ultimately this funding will enable us to place more families in safe, decent, and affordable homes.”
In the first year of this NHCF commitment, funding is intended to be allocated across nine provinces and one territory in support of the creation of 135 new homes and repair approximately 56 existing homes. Under this first-year commitment, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough will receive up to $3,183,250 in funding for thirty-five new homes within its Leahy’s Lane project, a unique 41-unit condo building meeting universal design standards. This will be Habitat for Humanity Peterborough’s largest multi-residential build and will serve as a model that can be rolled out to other Habitat’s across the country.
The Habitat for Humanity model of affordable home ownership bridges a gap for people who face barriers to home ownership and would not otherwise qualify for a traditional mortgage. Local Habitat for Humanity organizations in every province and territory across Canada help build and rehabilitate decent and affordable homes, from single-family houses to multi-unit developments. With the help of volunteers and donors, Habitat helps families build their own homes and pay an affordable mortgage geared to their income. Safe, decent and affordable home ownership plays a critical role in helping families build a foundation for a better life with better choices and more opportunities.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the Government of Canada, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This investment will enable us to scale and grow our programs in the communities of Ontario Gateway North, which means building more. It means empowering people through providing a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home,” said Kimberley Woodcock, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North. “We are testing new build methodologies and leveraging new funding models in the name of gaining access to this new government program, thereby increasing our service impact. Collaboration is key to this success, and we will need the support of volunteers, donors, corporations and the community. We know that the outcomes of our program are long-lasting and life-changing. Now, thanks to this investment from the Government of Canada, we can help more Canadians in need of affordable housing than ever before.”
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Lyle Hall says
Funding for housing is desperately needed. This pro- Canadian Co-investment article ignores the fact that there has been $0 provided for non-profit housing in the Parry Sound district in the years since this program was formed. It is incredibly difficult to actually access the funding that is supposed to be available. Why Habitat for Humanity and not a local group? How many of these 405 homes across Canada are going to be built in Muskoka/Parry Sound district? The authors of this article should try to work with this process before presenting it as actually effective. – Lyle Hall – General Manager for the Nonprofit Organization for Almaguin Housing (NOAH)
Paul Whillans says
And that every dime that Habitat will spent is going to Peterborough
Ralph Cliff says
Peterborough deserves the lions share.
They were kind enough to accept more newcomers than most other areas.
Who do you think will fill these homes?
Their MP is also Liberal with an election only a few months away.
Who says life is fair!