NEWS RELEASE - May 5, 2023

Tamworth — 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.”

Today’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 historic 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.” - Reeve John Wise, Stone Mills Township

“County Council recognizes that while the County is an important part of the solution, we require the strength and supports of others to address the shortage of safe and affordable housing in our community.” - Warden Henry Hogg, County of Lennox and Addington

“It is important to offer affordable housing solutions in rural areas.  People are better able to grow and thrive when they can stay in their own communities.  This project shows that all levels of government can work together to provide that opportunity in rural Ontario.” - Brenda Orchard, Chief Administrative Officer, County of Lennox and Addington

QUICK FACTS

  • SSRF has helped municipal service managers and Indigenous program administrators create longer-term housing solutions and deliver critical services such as shelters, food banks, and funding for rental arrears to support vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
  • The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario have invested nearly $638,000 in this project through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI), an initiative of the Canada-Ontario Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy and approximately $305,000 through the Canada – Ontario Community Housing Initiative.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 

MEDIA CONTACTS - ontario.ca/newsroom

Victoria Podbielski, Minister’s Office victoria.podbielski2@ontario.ca

Communications Branch MMA.Media@ontario.ca