Two affordable housing projects in Windsor and Kingsville will get new funding from the federal government.
The 10-storey, 145-unit project on Meadowbrook Lane in Forest Glade in Windsor will get over $1.9 million in funding, while four new housing units on Division Street in Kingsville will get $358,037.
The Ontario government is contributing over $3 million toward the project in Windsor and $168,488 for the units in Kingsville.
The Windsor-Essex Community Housing Corporation said the building will be Ontario's first "passive house" complex with 46 fully-accessible units, 76 affordable housing units, 12 for those fleeing domestic abuse, and four for those with developmental disabilities. The remainder will be offered at market rent.
The money for the Meadowbrook Lane project is on top of the $22-million announced in April 2019 to fund the project in East Windsor.
"Our government is investing in affordable housing here in Windsor, in Kingsville, and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most," said Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk.
Construction on the Windsor project was delayed because of the pandemic and unexpected cost-overruns. Initially, the cost estimate was $39 million, but back in June, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said the bid was several million over budget.
City council was forced to find cost savings.
There were fears the project would be delayed two years, but Dilkens called that "unacceptable" and vowed construction would start sooner.
Construction has since begun.
In Kingsville, the four affordable housing units will be for youth with intellectual disabilities in an established residential neighbourhood.
