MP Lapointe announces federal support for rapid housing project in Sudbury

Today, Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury – on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities – alongside Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official Languages, announced over $6.3 million in funding to help create 38 new affordable homes for individuals and families in Sudbury.

The Sudbury Peace Tower Housing project, located at 87 Pearl Street, will be a five-storey multi-use residential facility providing affordable homes for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, Indigenous people, Black Canadians and women and their children. This project will also be used for administration, community activities, and social service delivery.

 Completion of the project is expected by the winter of 2025.

This is made possible by the federal government’s additional investment of $1.5 billion into the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), bringing the program’s total to $4 billion to support the country’s most vulnerable. This investment is expected to create at least 5,200 more affordable housing units for Canadians in severe housing need across the country, with almost 50% of investments going towards women-focused housing projects.

 The RHI provides funding to facilitate the rapid construction of new housing and the acquisition of existing buildings for the purpose of rehabilitation or conversion to permanent affordable housing units. The additional funding for the third round of the RHI will be divided into two streams: $1 billion through the Projects Stream and $500 million towards the Cities Stream.

Quotes

“Today’s announcement of funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative will have a huge impact on our most vulnerable citizens here in Sudbury. The availability of affordable housing is limited and that’s why these new homes will make a difference in ending the cycle of homelessness and protecting the most vulnerable. This is just one of the many ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind.” – Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“Homelessness is a reality for too many people, and we are working with all our partners to ensure everyone in our community has a safe place to call home. This investment through the Rapid Housing Initiative will help those in need and will make a difference in the ongoing work to end homelessness and ensure housing affordability in Greater Sudbury and across the country.” – Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official Languages

 

Quick facts:

• The federal government’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) is an ambitious,10-year plan that will invest more than $82 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home.

• Launched in 2020, the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), under the NHS.

• With its third phase, launched in 2022, the Rapid Housing Initiative once again exceeded targets. It is expected that over 5,200 new homes will be created, of which almost half will be for women and one third will be for Indigenous Peoples.

• The total number of units created with the support of the three rounds of the Rapid Housing Initiative is expected to be over 15,500.

• The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the NHS, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health or addiction issues, veterans, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, racialized groups, and recent immigrants or refugees.