Additional capital grant brings total provincial support to over $2.1 million

Waterloo Region - On April 17, 2009, Kitchener Centre MPP John Milloy announced an additional $907,550 in provincial funding for the Sunnyside Supportive Housing Project in Kitchener.

MPP Milloy joined Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care David Caplan, local government officials and community groups at an event to celebrate the project’s launch. At the event, Milloy announced that in addition to the province’s previous $1.26 million commitment, Ontario will provide an additional capital grant of $907,550, bringing Ontario’s total support for the project to $2,167,550.

The province’s total contribution is being funded jointly by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through a new capital grant. The capital grant will assist with construction costs related to amenity space and upgraded features that are critical to the success of the supportive housing component of the project.

The Sunnyside Supportive Housing and Seniors Wellness Centre Project, the first of its kind in Waterloo Region, is an affordable seniors housing complex, offering funded care and support services. When complete, the complex will feature 27 one-bedroom and 3 two-bedroom accessible apartments, including wheelchair accommodation and providing space for supportive services such as rehabilitation, fitness programs and educational sessions.

The project is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in early 2010.

“The Sunnyside Project is a great example of governments and the community coming together to support our seniors,” said John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre. “I am proud of our government’s commitment to increasing affordable housing and especially of our support for this innovative project in our community.”

"This project represents partnerships within our community, within governments, and between governments to create the kind of supportive housing so badly needed in this Region,” said Regional Chair Ken Seiling. "Both operating and capital support from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is timely and appreciated as we move to new models of providing the supports for those in need of independent but supportive housing."

• The Sunnyside Project is being funded as part of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program, a $734 million funding partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments, which will provide affordable housing for 20,000 households in Ontario.

• Ontario’s over $2.1 million contribution to the Sunnyside Project includes $1.26 million from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program and a $907,550 capital grant from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

• An annual operating subsidy of $663,000 will also be provided by Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network under the Province’s Aging at Home Strategy.