WELLINGTON COUNTY – The county is making improvements to its affordable housing properties with the help of $12 million over three years from the federal government’s Affordable Housing Fund.
On Aug. 1, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) officially announced the funding, but the money was committed to the county in September 2022 as part of a broader initiative to support the maintenance and improvement of housing infrastructure in the region.
Since April 2023, the CMHC funding has been helping cover the costs of maintenance work on the county’s directly owned and operated housing portfolio, which includes more than 1,200 subsidized and affordable housing units in Guelph and Wellington County.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from CMHC,” stated county councillor David Anderson, chair of the joint social services and land ambulance committees, in a news release.
“This funding has helped finance critical improvements to our housing infrastructure, ensuring those facing housing insecurities have access to safe and sustainable living conditions.”
Funding has been used for accessibility upgrades to hundreds of units, roofing replacements, new high-efficiency windows and doors, siding replacements, enhanced attic insulation, expanded camera systems, corridor improvements, new building waste-management systems, site improvements and foundation repairs.
Further projects still in the process of being completed include new unit doors and controlled entry systems, solar panel installation, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems and additional energy generators.
The $12 million from CMHC is covering up to 30 per cent of the capital costs, with the county contributing the remaining 70%, for a total investment of $40 million over three years.
A spokesperson for the county said $552,000 of the $12 million has been spent since the start of the investment term in 2023.
All the remaining funds will be fully expensed by 2026.
