Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Centre will be getting just under $4.25 million in federal funds to help improve the local housing stock.
The money is part of the multi-billion-dollar Housing Accelerator Fund administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing, which is designed to cut red tape in order to boost the supply of housing in Canada.
Middlesex Centre is one of 23 Ontario municipalities to receive money under the current round of funding for the multi-year program.
“This is really welcome news,” said Mayor Aina DeViet as details of the successful grant application were brought to council by Chief Administrative Officer Michael Di Lullo at its February 12th meeting.
The money will be spread out in four installments. In the first year that involves designing guidelines for accessory residential units, developing an affordable housing plan, looking at programs to encourage a diversity of housing types, as well considering initiatives to support growth. “This is our opportunity at Middlesex Centre to use these funds, which will likely require additional resources whether it’s staffing or consultants, to help us ensure that we have the policies in place,” Di Lullo told council.
This is the second time Middlesex Centre has applied for a grant under the Housing Accelerator Fund, but the first time it’s been successful in obtaining funds. The program is a $4.4 billion Government of Canada initiative that will run until 2027-28.
“Now the hard part begins,” Di Lullo told council in terms of turning plans into action. But the groundwork has already been laid in a number of areas. “Many of these items are not foreign to council. They will be complementary to the work that’s been done, from the policy work with respect to the official plan and the other types of programs, like our community improvement program that we already have in place. So, we’re not starting from scratch,” said Di Lullo.
