Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is providing over $1.6 million through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) to help build three affordable housing units for seniors in the community of Little Current on Manitoulin Island.
“It took us 24 years to make this a reality and we have finally succeeded in adding 12 affordable senior’s units to our portfolio,” said Donna Stewart, CAO, Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board. “We appreciate the donation from the Fielding family and the support from the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin, the federal and provincial governments, our board of directors, Housing Services Corporation and staff.”
Fielding Place is a new senior’s facility with 12 units, including one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Three out of 12 units are funded by the Social Services Relief Fund. Two of the units are fully accessible.
Funding was announced by Steve Clark, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“We’re committed to helping people from across Ontario find a home that’s right for them – and that includes historic housing investments in Ontario’s North,” Clark said. “Today’s investments through the Social Services Relief Fund and the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative will help seniors in the Manitoulin and Sudbury regions find a comfortable, appropriate home near their families and loved ones.
“We’re going to keep championing the needs of Northern Ontario to ensure no part of the province is left behind.”
The Ontario government is also committing $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 $1.7 million through the Homelessness Prevention Program for the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board.
“People have been waiting for years for new affordable housing and it’s nice to see that the District Services Board was able to work with our municipality, the federal and provincial governments to make an investment on a capital project and it will be good for everyone,” said Northeastern Manitoulin Mayor Al MacNevin.