City to get up to $2,208,161 for social housing repairs, retrofits
What could amount to more than $2 million to repair and retrofit city and county social housing apartment buildings over the next five years is much-appreciated funding that will be put to good use, a representative of the city’s housing department said Thursday.
Peterborough will get as much as $2,208,161, contingent on carbon market proceeds, Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal announced at City Hall on Thursday morning. The funding, part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan, aims to help improve living conditions and fight climate change.
The investment will help lowincome and vulnerable tenants by funding upgrades including new energy-efficient heating, improved insulation and window replacements, the minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs said.
“This investment will ensure that our social housing is modern and energy efficient,” Leal stated in a press release. “By providing individuals and families with decent housing we are giving them more than just shelter; it provides stability, security and dignity.”
Housing department financial officer Dave Pritchard agreed.
“It will definitely help. We will stretch is as far as we can,” he said, pointing out how it will free up other funding. “It’s like getting double, almost.”
The Peterborough Housing Corporation is the largest landlord in the city and county, providing social housing to about 1,000 households. Department staff will look at the city’s portfolio to see how it can get the most bang for the buck, Pritchard said.
The department assesses current conditions regularly, so it has already has a good idea where the funding will be best served. “We’re ready to go.”
The most needy buildings are the city’s mixed family buildings, which get more wear and tear than others, Pritchard added.
The funding will be delivered between 2018-19 and 2020-21. More details on exact delivery dates are expected next week, he said.
Proceeds from Ontario’s carbon market must, by law, be invested into programs that help households and businesses reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money on energy costs.
Programs include home energy retrofits, public transit, social housing retrofits, and electric vehicle incentives and infrastructure.
“With the support of the provincial government, we are helping to provide stable, safe and affordable housing that is essential to the quality of life for individuals and families in the Peterborough region,” Mayor Daryl Bennett stated.
The province plans to spend as much as $657 million on repairs and retrofits to social housing apartment buildings across the province over five years, contingent on carbon market proceeds.
It is spending more than $2 billion over the next three years in affordable and sustainable housing across the province, officials stated.
Under the Green Investment Fund, Ontario has funded $82 million for energy retrofits for highrise social housing towers of 150 units or more.
The Climate Change Action Plan and carbon market form the backbone of Ontario’s strategy to cut greenhouse gas pollution by 80 per cent by 2050, while funding programs that help save money and lower greenhouse gas emissions.