Deputy Prime Minister highlights 108 new affordable homes at Sault Ste. Marie’s Royal Canadian Legion

From: Department of Finance Canada

News release

November 1, 2024 - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

As Remembrance Day approaches, we are honouring the generations of brave soldiers who fought to protect the peace and freedom Canadians enjoy today. Our veterans have made great sacrifices for our country and they deserve safe and affordable places to call home.

Today in Sault Ste. Marie, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, visited Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 at 96 Great Northern Road, where construction was recently completed on 108 new affordable homes for veterans and their families.

This new nine-storey apartment building, with 30 per cent of homes under market rents, was made possible by $32.1 million in federal funding through the $14 billion Affordable Housing Fund. The new Royal Canadian Legion Branch apartment building is just one of over 261 projects in Ontario and 790 projects across Canada announced so far under the Affordable Housing Fund, which will build 60,000 new homes by 2029.

The new Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 provides a new space for all local veterans to enjoy, including a restaurant and bar, meeting rooms, and community hall. The building is also the new home for Sault Ste. Marie’s Veterans Affairs offices and the Military Family and Health Support Group, ensuring veterans and their families have convenient access to support for physical and mental health needs, including depression, anxiety, and trauma.

This new Royal Canadian Legion is a testament to the federal government’s commitment to taking care of the veterans who have served our country. The government is ensuring veterans have access to affordable housing and high-quality support services. 

Quotes

“Sault Ste. Marie’s new Royal Canadian Legion is now home to over 100 veterans and families and has become a new community hub providing veterans with the support they deserve. With 30 per cent of homes below market rents, we’re taking care of our veterans and ensuring they can retire with the dignity and comfort of a safe and affordable place to call home.”

– The Honourable Chrystia Freeland,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

“I was proud to work with Legion Branch 25 to get the new Legion Housing project started and completed. The Legion is an integral partner in helping the Soo community, and I congratulate them on the grand opening of their new home. The plan to use their property to improve housing in our city is innovative, and I am delighted that our government has supported them to make their vision a reality.”

– Terry Sheehan,
 Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie

Quick facts

  • In Budget 2024 and Canada’s Housing Plan, the federal government announced the most ambitious housing plan—a plan which will build nearly 4 million homes by 2031. This plan takes a whole-of-government approach to addressing the housing crisis by building more homes, making it easier to rent or own a home, and helping Canadians who cannot afford a home.

  • The $14 billion Affordable Housing Fund provides low-interest or forgivable loans or contributions to organizations looking to build new affordable housing or renovate and repair the existing supply of affordable and community housing.

    • As of June 2024, over $9.40 billion from the Affordable Housing Fund has been committed to build over 37,000 homes and repair over 165,000 homes. 

  • To further support veterans who have served our country, in April 2023, the federal government launched the Veteran Homelessness Program, which provides funding to projects under two streams:

    • $72.9 million Services and Supports Stream to deliver rent supplements and well-being services, such as counselling and treatment for substance use.
    • $6.2 million Capacity Building Stream to help organizations increase their capacity to deliver tailored programs by supporting research and improved data collection. 

Associated links

Contacts

Media may contact:

Katherine Cuplinskas
Deputy Director of Communications
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Katherine.Cuplinskas@fin.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
mediare@fin.gc.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 1-833-712-2292
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca

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