Feds providing over $7M for two local affordable housing projects

Another significant affordable housing announcement in Waterloo Region.

On Thursday, the federal minister responsible for housing, Ahmed Hussen announced the federal government is providing $7.1 million to create just over 70 affordable homes in the region.

$4.5 million comes from the Major Cities Stream under the expanded Rapid Housing Initiative. The remaining $2.6 million will come from Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy program.

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, and the pandemic has only highlighted the need for even more affordable housing. With today's announcement, we're once again stepping up to help those who need it most,” Hussen said.

The funding will support two projects, one in Kitchener at 35 Sheldon Avenue North, which will be managed by OneROOF. The project will create an estimated 44 units and help those who are homeless, or struggling with mental health or addiction issues.

“It means everything to us. You know, we've been advocating for youth for decades in this region, and there's such a need across the entire region,” said Sandy Dietrich-Bell, CEO of OneROOF. 

She said this building will allow the organization to provide wraparound services. 

“We want to provide housing. We want to be able to provide programming on budgeting and life skills. We want to be able to provide employment opportunities, cooking skills, and teach them how to do laundry,” said Dietrich-Bell.

“That holistic wraparound approach is what we've always been aiming for, and now, we finally are able to do it because we have all of those things right on one, sort of, campus area.”

She tells CityNews 570, construction of the Kitchener project is well underway, and she's aiming to have occupants in rooms at the end of March. 

The second project will be located at 27-31 Cambridge Street in Cambridge. All 30 units will be created for Indigenous people, with over half specifically for women and their children. The Region of Waterloo is also contributing $3 million to that project through its Equity Investment Fund.

Both projects are expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Regional Chair Karen Redman adds that affordable housing continues to be a top priority for regional government.

“We welcome these two new projects made possible by funding from the Government of Canada and the Region of Waterloo's Equity Fund. Through this partnership and collaboration, we will see 74 new affordable homes in our Region, leading to a better quality life for residents.”  Redman stated.

On Wednesday, the provincial government announced $8.5 million for a new emergency shelter in Waterloo, to be operated by the House of Friendship.

– With files from Blair Adams and Germain Ma