TORONTO, July 15 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Joe Fontana, federal Minister of Labour and Housing, the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Toronto City Councillor Janet Davis Ward 31, Beaches-East York), and Judith Leon, Executive Director of Neighbourhood Link/Senior Link (a local non-profit organization), gathered today to officially break ground on a new housing facility for seniors in Toronto's east end. When complete, the new building will provide safe, affordable homes for 25 senior citizens who are currently homeless.

Plans for the new building, to be located at 2802 Danforth Avenue, include a "green" roof and courtyard garden. The building will also have significant environmental features, including solar thermal collectors; energy- efficient lighting, heating, cooling and appliances; and reduced-flow bathroom fixtures.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to be supporting this model project for our senior community in downtown Toronto," said Minister Fontana. "Energy- efficient housing is important not only to foster a healthy environment, but also to ensure the long-term affordability of housing in our communities."

"The McGuinty government is committed to building strong communities for the people of Ontario, which include access to safe, secure and affordable housing," said Minister Gerretsen. "I am especially pleased that our rent supplement program will apply to all 25 units in this complex, helping vulnerable seniors with their housing needs."

"The City of Toronto is pleased to work in partnership with other orders of government and public sector agencies to provide affordable housing solutions to homeless seniors, an often-marginalized group in Toronto," said Councillor Davis. "It's also an opportunity to replace a vacant, run-down building with a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facility that complements the surrounding neighbourhood."

Funding for the Senior Link project includes the following:

• an allocation of $1.375 million, under the Government of Canada's Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (a component of the National Homelessness Initiative), to be administered by the City of Toronto;
• an interest-free pre-development loan of $100,000 ($35,000 of which is forgivable) from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation;
• 25 rent supplements, with a total value of $260,000 per year, which are part of total funding of over $4,000,000 under Ontario's Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program;
• $125,000 from the City of Toronto through the Mayor's Fund;
• a private donation of $200,000 through the United Way; and
• $5,000 from the Toronto Green Awards in recognition of Neighbourhood Link's efforts to build an environmentally conscious building.

"We are truly excited to be providing affordable housing to seniors at risk of being homeless and are proud to build an environmentally conscious building that will help reduce emissions into our community," said Ms. Leon. "Our hope is to inspire developers to look at the 'big picture' and consider the future of our neighbourhoods, both socially and environmentally. Everyone deserves to live in appropriate, safe housing, especially in their golden years."

Neighbourhood Link/Senior Link, founded in 1975 by community members, is a recognized leader in providing support to vulnerable populations. The agency has a portfolio of more than 300 housing units across Toronto and provides a range of responsive support services to seniors, homeless people, at-risk youth, new Canadians and families.

The Government of Canada launched the National Homelessness Initiative NHI) in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. By working in partnership with community organizations, the private and voluntary sectors, and other levels of government, the NHI is bringing all stakeholders together to develop local solutions that work to address the needs and challenges of homeless people. Since the launch, the Government of Canada has contributed over $119 million to alleviate homelessness in Toronto.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada's national
housing agency and has a mandate to help Canadians gain access to safe,
quality, affordable housing. CMHC supports the Canadian housing industry and improves the living conditions of Canadians through mortgage loan insurance and securitization, assisted housing, research and information transfer, and the promotion of Canadian housing exports.

Senior Link/Neighbourhood Link (2802 Danforth Ave.)

BACKGROUNDER
July 2005

Neighbourhood Link/Senior Link, founded in 1975 by community members, is a registered charity and has a housing portfolio of approximately 300 units. It is a recognized leader in providing support to vulnerable populations. The agency provides a range of responsive support services to seniors, homeless people, at risk youth, new Canadians and families.

The site for the new 25-unit facility is located at 2802 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, and will provide housing and supports for older adults living in shelters or on the streets, many of whom have mental health issues.

Environmental component

The new facility will be a model of energy efficient affordable housing. The organization aims to maintain the highest energy efficiency possible and lower fossil fuel consumption.

Energy saving applications will include:

- energy star appliances (fridge, stove, washer & dryers)
- energy efficient long-life lighting
- reduced flow shower heads
- 6 litre toilets
- programmable thermostats
- thermal windows & doors
- high efficiency gas boilers
- high efficiency gas furnaces (for heating and cooling in each individual unit)
- wall insulation equal to R25
- solar thermal collectors
- green roof
- roof insulation equal to R40+ (this will be higher with a green roof - approximately R44 will be achieved)
- electric traction cable elevators (2 times more energy efficient than hydraulic piston driven units)

In addition, a courtyard garden is slated to go between the two
buildings. Currently the property is entirely paved.

Funding for the Senior Link project includes:

- An allocation of $1.375 million, under the Government of Canada's Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative, a component of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) administered by the City of Toronto;
- An interest-free pre-development loan of $100,000 ($35,000 of which is forgivable) from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation;
- 25 rent supplements, valued at $260,000 per year, under Ontario's Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program;
- $125,000 from the City of Toronto through the Mayor's Fund;
- A private donation of $200,000 through the United Way; and
- $5,000 from the Toronto Green Awards in recognition of Neighbourhood Link's efforts to build an environmentally conscious building.

The Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI) is one of the components of the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative NHI). Since 1999, communities across Canada have undertaken more than 4,000 projects funded, wholly or in part, by the National Homelessness Initiative.

Activities and accomplishments to date include:

- the creation of more than 10,000 new, permanent beds in shelters, transitional and supportive facilities;
- the funding of 966 projects enabling organizations to purchase, build or renovate emergency, transitional and supportive housing facilities;
- the funding of over 560 projects enabling organizations to purchase, build or renovate facilities that host support services such as clothing banks, food banks, drop-in centres and soup kitchens;
- the funding of 1,391 projects enabling organizations to provide support services such as training, skills development, counselling and psychosocial support, as well as providing materials like clothing and blankets; and
- the transfer of 50 federal properties worth over $9.2 million, which will result in the creation of 268 transitional and affordable housing units.

For more information on the Government of Canada's NHI, visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca .

The Canadian Centre for Public-Private Partnerships in Housing

CMHC's Canadian Centre for Public-Private Partnerships in Housing is a network of housing experts who offer information and expertise and other tools to help facilitate the production of housing. The Partnership Centre works with non-profit and private sector housing proponents, and others who are planning to develop housing that is affordable, innovative, or community based. The more affordable the proposed housing, the more tools there are available. Tools include Seed Funding, capacity development training, interest-free Proposal Development Funding (PDF) loans, advice and guidance and mortgage loan insurance flexibilities, including reduced mortgage insurance premiums and more flexible underwriting criteria. Since its inception in 1991, the Partnership Centre has facilitated more than 38,000 housing units across Canada.

Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program

In March 2004, the Government of Ontario released new guidelines and a Memorandum of Understanding between the province and municipalities to support the Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program. This program offers up to $50 million per year to municipal service managers, and gives them the flexibility to allocate supports directly to tenants, or to work with agencies and landlords in the private or non-profit sectors to assist people who are facing unaffordable rents, seeking housing, or who are at risk of homelessness.

For further information:

• Media Inquires: Peter Graham, Office of the Minister of Labour and Housing, (819) 953-5646;
• Patti Munce, Office of Minister John Gerretsen, (416) 585-6333;
• Sandra Vaughan, City of Toronto, (416) 397-4192;
• Gerrie Burnett, Housing Development Manager, Neighbourhood Link/Senior Link, (416) 691-7407, ext. 231;
• Public Inquiries: Catherine Kaye, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, (416) 954-7302