Perth-Wellington riding will receive $1.8-million for repairs to affordable housing as part of the provincial government’s plan to help low-income families succeed, said riding MPP John Wilkinson on Monday.
“This new funding will mean better quality affordable housing for families living in Perth-Wellington,” he said “People are our most important resource and we want everyone in Ontario to have the same opportunity to succeed.”
The money is part of the province’s $100-million spending plan to assist with repairs of about 4,000 affordable housing units across Ontario.
Stratford, as service manager for Perth County, will receive $507,005 for 1,078 units.
Wellington County will receive $1.29-million for 2,754 units.
“This is very good News, especially for our non profit and co-op housing,” said Kim Warner, administrator of Wellington County social services.
But Warden John Green said he expects that the lion’s share of the money will be spent in Guelph.
The city and county have a joint social services committee, and share costs according to residents’ usage.
Green said when the provincial government downloaded social housing onto the counties at the turn of the century, it handed over a huge amount of housing stock and it needed serious repairs.
He said that particularly includes such things as washrooms, bathrooms, hot water heaters, and he called those “pretty decrepit.
“I’m sure 90% will go in there,” he said of social housing in the city. Guelph has much more social housing than the county.
Bill Tigert, director of social services for Perth County, said, “We are extremely pleased with this announcement as the affordable public housing and non profit housing stock will be able to use this funding for timely repairs of their critical infrastructure.”
The provincial government will also spend $135-million over the next three years in a dental care plan for low income families.
Public health units, community health centres, dentists and dental hygienists will provide prevention and treatment services.
