NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY – Just over 2 years after the ground-breaking in Coniston at 11 Elm Street, the “Elmwood” project has reached completion. The Coniston Non-Profit Seniors Housing Board, founded in 2012, has been spearheading this ambitious 55 affordable unit building project geared to seniors with the support of collaborative partners such as the City of Greater Sudbury and the Federal government.

The Elmwood is a first of its kind. Not only is the building net-zero, meeting the highest levels of energy efficiency, but it is also accessible, financially viable, and is contracted to keep unit rental costs below market for the next 20 years. The project earned top marks in energy efficiency in the eligibility scoring a key determinant in the funding application process.

Housing has remained a top priority for the Federal government, and they have worked diligently to make more funding available to further increase access. Just recently the Federal government opted to remove the GST on new rental housing constructions. Elmwood is partially funded through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Rental Construction Financing Initiative (RCFi), a National Housing Strategy program that provides low-cost funding to eligible borrowers during the riskiest phases of development of rental apartments. The program also allows for the community to direct and develop projects, and to control them as time goes on.

In 2021 MP Serré made an announcement on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion at the time, of nearly $18 million in low-cost insured loans through CMHC to support the project. This added itself to other Federal investments including $40,000 for seed money to generate a feasibility study and $250,000 in predevelopment funds for re-zoning processes. The program also allows for the community to direct and develop projects, and to control them as time goes on.

A report published in 2021 presented to Greater Sudbury’s Seniors’ Advisory Panel by the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario and Advocacy portrayed the difficult reality faced in the region. The report clarified the complex issues contributing to lack of adequate housing for the growing senior population including those who want to remain in their communities but need more supports. Issues such as shorter building seasons, lack of supply, affordability of rental housing, repairs, energy costs were among some of the challenges identified that uniquely impact Northern Ontario and regions like Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury.

Elmwood has set a benchmark of success and offers a type of blueprint solution for other communities and developers to replicate here locally and across Northern Ontario. MP Serré encourages interested and eligible developers or groups to contact the Coniston Non-Profit Seniors Housing Board to share their interest and to reach out to his office to ensure proper coordination as well.

 Quotes

“The completion of the Elmwood is an amazing milestone for Nickel Belt. The Coniston Non-Profit Seniors Housing Corporation has done a tremendous job of responding to community needs with a sustainable housing solution. I look forward to working with them again, and with other community groups, to advance affordable housing accessibility in Nickel Belt.”  - Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“I am so pleased to see the Elmwood project come to fruition. It is innovative projects like Elmwood that are making an incredible impact in our communities. I want to congratulate the Coniston Non-Profit Seniors Housing Corporation for their work on bringing this vision to life and providing an accessible option for seniors. Housing remains a top priority, and ensuring projects like Elmwood receive adequate support is something we will continue to advocate for.” – Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“Over 12 years ago a group of Coniston citizens decided that it was time to have an apartment building that would allow seniors an opportunity to stay in their community. Memberships were sold and over 100 people decided to be part of the adventure. Today we see the results. A beautiful energy efficient building, making it an environmentally friendly option for people to call home.” – Les Lisk, President of the Coniston Non-Profit Seniors Housing Corporation

“Greater Sudbury City Council remains committed to increasing the supply of residential units across our city. I am delighted that this project by the Coniston Non-Profit Seniors Housing Corporation is providing dozens of in-demand affordable rental apartments that enable older adults to age in their home community. Thank you to all the funding and project partners who have made this important development a reality.” – Paul Lefebvre, Mayor of Greater Sudbury

Facts

• Canada’s Housing Strategy is a 10-year, +$70 billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.
• To help build more rental housing, faster, the Federal government will remove the GST on new rental housing, such as apartment buildings, student housing, and senior residences. For a two-bedroom rental unit valued at $500,000, this means $25,000 in tax relief.
• The Federal government is calling on provinces to waive the provincial sales tax on new apartments too.
• Projects starting construction between September 14, 2023 and December 31, 2030, and completing construction by December 31, 2025 are eligible.
• We are protecting Canadian renters from renovictions, by ensuring substantial renovations on existing apartments are not eligible for the new rebate.

Links

Rental Housing Construction Initiative
Government introduces legislation to build more rental homes and stabilize grocery prices

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Media Contact:
Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
705-507-2416 [email protected]