Vaughan — The Ontario government is investing #35 million to enable the construction of new homes in Vaughan. The funding is being delivered through the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which includes $970 million to help municipalities develop, repair, rehabilitate and expand drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
This funding will support Stormwater and Wastewater Management in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC). This project will enable 20,424 housing units in the City of Vaughan.
"Our government is serious about unlocking attainable housing for the next generation — for our children and grandchildren — so they can own a home and build a positive future. That is why I am proud of our government’s investment in the City of Vaughan to support over 20,000 homes in our growing community," said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan. "At every turn, our government is saying yes to building homes, subways, and medical schools by working with municipalities and partners to get projects off the shelves and shovels in the ground."
The government is also allocating an additional $250 million and accepting a second round of applications through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, bringing the province’s total investment in the fund to $1.2 billion.
“By investing in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and connecting pipes to land, we are helping municipalities build more homes,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Homes can’t be built without connections to drinking water and wastewater.”
“Our government is committed to ensuring that our housing needs across the province are addressed, to build a better future for generations to come,” said Laura Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thornhill. “As the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre continues to grow and thrive, this infrastructure investment is crucial in accommodating our growing population, safeguarding our community, and stimulating economic growth.”
In this year’s budget, Ontario announced more than $1.8 billion in housing-enabling infrastructure funding through the $825 million Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the $1 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, in addition to funding announced previously through the province’s Building Faster Fund. In response to the significant demand for investments in water and wastewater infrastructure to enable the construction of more homes, and after consulting with municipalities, the province is transferring $275 million from the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund in order to meet this demand. In addition, the $120 million from the Building Faster Fund that was reserved for small, rural and northern communities is being flowed to these communities through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.
"I’d like to thank Premier Ford and the Government of Ontario for investing $35 million from the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund for vital city-building infrastructure,” said Steven Del Duca, Mayor of Vaughan. “We are in the midst of a housing affordability crisis, and this is an all-hands-on-deck moment for all leaders. I look forward to continuing to work with the provincial government, our Council, staff and residents to build a bright future.”
QUICK FACTS
Details about the second application intake and eligibility will be available at Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund | ontario.ca on August 14, 2024. The second intake will provide an additional $250 million in funding.
The Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program will support core infrastructure projects that help enable housing, such as roads and water infrastructure.
Investing in key local infrastructure through programs like the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program is part of the province’s capital plan of over $190 billion to build critical infrastructure and get more homes built faster to support growing communities and lay a strong foundation for future generations.
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