Affordable housing projects in region get $8.4 million

WATERLOO REGION — The federal and provincial governments are providing $8.4 million to build affordable housing in Waterloo Region.

The announcement was made Monday during a groundbreaking event at KW Habilitation.

The KW Habilitation development at 108 Sydney St. S. will provide 22 units of affordable housing for people living with developmental disabilities.

The federal and provincial governments are contributing $2.64 million to the project.

The remaining funding is supporting construction of 71 affordable housing units in five other developments:

MennoHomes has received more than $1.7 million for 14 units at 7 Memorial Ave. in Elmira;

Elmira Developmental Support Corp. received $775,423 for six units for people with development disabilities at 75 Maguire Ln. in Elmira;

Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) received more than $1.1 million for nine units at 402 Erb St. W. in Waterloo;

Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of KitchenerWaterloo received $450,000 for four units at 155 Lincoln Rd. in Waterloo;

Kitchener Housing Inc. received more than $1.8 million for 16 units for persons with disabilities at 430 Connaught St. in Kitchener.

Kitchener-Centre MPP Daiene Vernile said the additional funding will “transform” the local housing system.

“Providing more affordable housing will strengthen our community, as people receive the supports they need to thrive,” she said in a news release.

“This investment will continue to help Canadians access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs, while also creating jobs for the local economy,” said Kitchener Centre MP Raj Saini.