Toronto/IBNS: Ontario Minister of Housing and Diversity Ahmed Hussen has announced a combined investment of nearly $132 million to support the construction of over 380 units in the province.

These units would house Indigenous peoples and veterans with varying levels of accessibility and affordability

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 would operate the first project encompassing 107 units, of which more than 30 per cent will be aiming to replace the existing building with a nine-storey accessible tower.

The second portfolio of projects with nine projects serving communities across Ontario, creating 276 affordable units to support Indigenous peoples will be owned and operated by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS).

Some projects will support Indigenous people who are experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness, and others will support at-risk Indigenous youth and women and their children.

Nearly $ 87 million in federal funding through the NHCF would be granted to this portfolio of projects.

Approximately $3.7 million has also been committed by the federal government and the Province of Ontario through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) bilateral agreement to build 45 units in Sault Ste. Marie and London, as well as $7.2 million from OAHS in the form of land and cash equity.

Amenities for the tenants, their families, and the community, including a restaurant, meeting rooms, a hall, and a gathering place would be included in the building.

$ 32.1 million in federal funding through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) and $1.9 million from Veteran’s Housing Ontario Inc. was granted to this project.

Construction of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 project is expected to be completed by December 2023, while construction of the OAHS portfolio of projects is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)