Ottawa gets $37.5 million for making 'substantial progress' towards housing targets
The city of Ottawa is receiving $37.5 million in provincial funding for the progress made towards its 2023 target to build new homes.
Premier Doug Ford was in Ottawa on Friday to announce the funding through the Building Faster Fund.
"Ottawa made substantial progress towards its 2023 target, breaking ground on 10,213 homes last year," Ford told reporters at Ottawa City Hall.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ottawa city Mayor Mark Sutcliffe pose with a box of a donuts from a local bakery following an announcement, Friday, April 5, 2024 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
"That's 10,213 families that are going to have a roof over their head."
The city of Ottawa reached 93 per cent of its housing target in 2023, qualifying for funding under Ontario's Building Faster Fund. Statistics presented by the city last month show there were 10,313 housing starts in Ottawa last year.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing set an annual housing target of 11,073 housing starts in Ottawa last year.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the provincial funding is a "big help" to expand infrastructure and transit.
"The funds that we're receiving today go towards infrastructure that will help us build and enhance existing communities," Sutcliffe said.
"As the city is growing, we need more support for infrastructure."
Sutcliffe added the Building Faster Fund, "will help us create the conditions for builders and community organizations to build homes faster."
Ontario's Building Faster Fund is a three year, $1.2 billion program to provide municipalities funding based on performance against the provincial housing targets. Municipalities that reach 80 per cent of their annual target each year will be eligible for funding based on their share of Ontario's overall goal of 1.5 million new homes, according to the province.
This is the second straight week Ford is in Ottawa for an announcement. Last week, the premier announced a new deal between the Ontario government and the city of Ottawa to provide $543 million in operating and capital funding to the city over 10 years.
The province said last week that Ottawa is eligible for up to $118 million over three years through the Building Faster Fund, conditional on the capital's progress towards its housing targets.
Ottawa is also receiving $176.3 million in federal funding to help build new homes over the next 10 years. Council has confirmed 90 per cent of the funding will be allocated to building affordable housing projects by non-profit housing providers.
Funding for Kingston
The city of Kingston has received millions of dollars in new funding for exceeding its provincial housing target.
On Thursday, Ontario announced $3.2 million in funding for Kingston through the Building Faster Fund, after the city exceeded its 2023 housing target. There were 1,465 new housing units built in the city last year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sparks fly as MPs question minister on pension implications of proposed election date change
Sparks flew at a parliamentary committee Thursday as MPs questioned Canada's democratic institutions minister about a widely opposed provision in electoral reform legislation that seeks to delay the next fixed election date by one week.
'There is no electricity': Canadian travellers in Cuba urge caution in hurricane's wake
Cuba's power grid was knocked out by Hurricane Rafael, which ripped across the country as a Category 3 storm. In western Cuba, it toppled buildings and pushed 50,000 people to find shelter elsewhere. Cubans were already enduring rolling blackouts due to energy shortages.
Three charged in One Direction singer Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in relation to One Direction singer Liam Payne's death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine authorities said on Thursday.
RCMP already 'on high alert' for potential wave of migrants after Trump election
Canada's federal police force has been preparing for months on a contingency plan for a potential massive influx of migrants across the border following Trump's promise of 'mass deportations' of millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
'There was no stopping this baby from coming': Woman gives birth while aboard Newfoundland ferry
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
Volkswagen models recalled for airbag safety precaution
Recall notices have been issued for some Volkswagen models from 2006 to 2019 for airbag safety issues.
Canmore wildlife and landscape defender Karsten Heuer dies peacefully at 56
Canmore conservationist Karsten Heuer, who was a biologist, park ranger, author and activist, has died.
America votes: How celebrities are reacting to Trump's decisive victory
Celebrities from Hulk Hogan to Ariana Grande are sharing their reactions to the U.S. election, which will see Donald Trump return to the White House.
3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation