Ontario Building More Affordable Housing in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell

Provincial investment will support seniors in the community

November 24, 2023

St-Albert — The Ontario government is providing close to $3 million to help create 18 affordable housing units in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell that will support seniors.

This funding will support the expansion of two seniors’ residences in the communities of St-Albert and Vankleek Hill. Residents moving into these low-rise expansion projects will be immediately connected to existing seniors’ communities. They will also be close to local amenities, including community centres and hospitals.

The funding was announced by Rob Flack, Associate Minister of Housing and Stéphane Sarrazin, MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.

“These homes will make a real difference in the lives of local seniors, and I’m proud that our government is supporting projects like these all across the province,” said Rob Flack, Associate Minister of Housing. “These projects in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell are a testament to our government’s unwavering commitment to build more housing of all kinds. We’ll keep working with our partners to achieve our goal of at least 1.5 million homes by 2031, and ensure Ontarians of all ages find a place to call home.”

The new building at the La Résidence Lajoie in St. Albert will be two-storeys with 26 units, six of which will be accessible. Each unit will have in-suite storage and residents will have access to additional storage in the garage. Residents will have access to fitness equipment, a shared recreational space, a meeting room, and an outdoor shuffleboard. The new three-storey building at the Vankleek Senior Citizens Manor includes 30 housing units. The building is also energy efficient and designed to meet VisitAbility standards with accessibility features such as wide doors.

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 nearly $4 million annually through the Homelessness Prevention Program for the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

Quick Facts

  • The United Counties of Prescott and Russell was allocated over $9 million through all phases of the Social Services Relief Fund to deliver critical services such as shelters, food banks and emergency services.
  • Service managers and Indigenous program administrators have the flexibility to allocate provincial funding to programs and services that address and prevent homelessness in their communities, such as rent supplements, homeless shelters, and supportive housing including capital projects.

Quotes

“Our government’s housing plan is designed to ensure that all Ontarians, including seniors, can find a home that meets their needs. Affordable housing units like the ones in St-Albert and Vankleek Hill connect seniors to important local services and allow them to be part of a community, so that they can enjoy an active and healthy social life. Affordable housing is such a key part of our government’s work to tackle the housing supply crisis.”

– Paul Calandra
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

“I’m very proud that our government’s commitment to funding the expansion of seniors’ residences in St-Albert and Vankleek Hill, this reflects our dedication to providing housing solutions that cater to the needs of our seniors. These low-rise expansion projects not only offer immediate connectivity to existing seniors’ communities but also ensure proximity to essential local amenities such as community centers and hospitals. Affordable housing initiatives like these are integral in connecting seniors to vital services, fostering community engagement, and enabling them to lead fulfilling, socially active lives. As we address the housing crisis, prioritizing affordable housing remains a cornerstone of our efforts to ensure that people across the province have access to housing that suits their requirements, particularly our valued seniors.”

– Stéphane Sarrazin
Member of Provincial Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell

“The Prescott and Russell region is affected by the housing crisis that is currently hitting the entire province. The two affordable housing projects inaugurated this morning represent an important step forward in this fight. We are extremely grateful for the involvement of all the partners in these projects, and we are committed to continuing our efforts in increasing access to affordable housing for all.”

– Normand Riopel
Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell and Mayor of the Township of Champlain

“It is with great honour that our community inaugurates the Lajoie Residence Redevelopment Project. Access to affordable housing in rural areas is more difficult than ever, and this project comes at the right time, enabling more families in our region to benefit from a comfortable and safe home.”

– Francis Brière
Mayor of The Nation Municipality

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