Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae made a stop in Listowel on Friday afternoon to announce infrastructure funding to help build more homes.
Rae announced $5.4 million in funding for North Perth through the province’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, a stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. Rae says this investment, which totals $20.4 million across his riding, is about getting more homes built to address a rising shortage.
"So ensuring that we're getting shovels in the ground. An apartment or a townhome, families can't move into those without a sewer or a pipe going to it. So this funding will help ensure that we're unlocking, with this funding alone, over 3,000 homes for families across Perth-Wellington," Rae stated.
The funding for North Perth will allow for 712 new homes, according to Rae. He says the provincial government is committed to ensuring that the new homes that are built as a result of funding like this includes a healthy supply of affordable units, something called for recently in a petition from United Way Perth Huron.
"Obviously I can understand the important work that United Way is doing across Perth and Huron, like setting up their non-profit housing corporation (United Housing). So we wanna ensure that we're getting more affordable and deeply affordable apartments or homes online, so we want to figure out how we can work with them," Rae said.
Rae points out he talks frequently with United Way Perth Huron Executive Director Ryan Erb and United Housing Director, Kathy Vassilakos, on continued government support for affordable housing projects managed by non-profits, like United Way, Habitat for Humanity and municipal partnerships, as well.
"Whether it's cutting DCs (development charges) on affordable housing units to ensure that builders that wanna build affordable housing do not have to pay those extra fees, and continuing to work with them to highlight how we can cut red tape, streamline processes, and be there with funding, when appropriate," added Rae.
North Perth will be using its share of the announced funding for a new pump station in Listowel.
"In our relentless effort to build a future-focused, progressive North Perth, one with infrastructure that supports a broad base of housing options and robust commercial and industrial sectors, we are grateful to Ontario for its contribution of $5.4M from the Housing Enabling Water Systems Fun to address an expansion area in Listowel," shared North Perth Mayor Todd Kasenebrg. "On behalf of council, thanks to the province and to Mr. Rae for his effective advocacy at Queens Park."
