The Government is making investments to ensure more Canadians have access to safe and affordable places to call home. These investments are delivering results in communities across the country, including in the Niagara Region.

“We’re making sure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. It was great to meet with municipal leaders in the Niagara Region and see the National Housing Strategy at Work at the YWCA Oakdale. Investments made in Budget 2022 are another step our Government has taken to ensure that no one is left behind.”

The Honorable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

“This has been a long time coming, and I am grateful to have seen this project be built from the ground up and become a reality. This is what government investments looks like, and it helps those in our community that are most vulnerable. It is my pleasure to be able to bring the Hon. Anita Anand to visit and see how far our government’s housing dollars have gone in our community. Budget 2022 has again made affordable housing a priority in Canada, I will be working to ensure St. Catharines is considered for more projects like this one.”

MP Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines

“Every childhood memory should include a place someone remembers as “home.” Building a better Canada must include affordable housing options for every member of society, including those who may be struggling with the rapid price increases we’ve all witnessed in the housing market over the last few years. We all benefit when parents are able to give their children a safe, affordable place to live.”

MP Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre

“We are pleased to have an opportunity to show Minister Anand the impact of investing in affordable housing particularly for women who have experienced chronic homelessness.”

Elizabeth Zimmerman, Executive Director – YWCA Niagara Region

• Budget 2022 measures that will build more homes and make housing more affordable across the country include:

  • Putting Canada on the path to double our housing construction over the next decade;
  • Helping Canadians buy their first home;
  • Protecting buyers and renters;
  • Curbing unfair practices that drive up the price of housing; and,
  • Continuing to fight homelessness and support housing affordability, particularly for the most vulnerable.

• On July 6, 2020, the federal government announced a $3.02 million financial commitment for the YWCA Niagara Region Oakdale Commons project in St. Catharines. This project is able to house up to 24 women in need along with their children. The new facility, a family shelter (four units) combined with permanent housing apartments (20 units), will encourage social interaction and support a network for families.

• On January 18, 2022, the Government announced an investment of $10.5 million to create an estimated 42 new affordable homes for individuals and families in the Niagara Region under the expanded Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). These housing units will support Canadians who are in uncertain housing situations, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in temporary shelters because of the pandemic.

Daniel Minden
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: Daniel.Minden@Forces.gc.ca