Ontario Helping Build More Homes in Welland
October 16, 2024
Welland – The Ontario government is investing $20,407,059 to enable the construction of new homes in the City of Welland. 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 the Ontario Road Wastewater Trunk Sewer Expansion and Water Infrastructure Improvements Project in Welland. The project will include construction of a new 2.4 kilometre wastewater trunk sewer from the Ontario Road Sewage Pumping Station to King Street, along with the replacement of a 1.3 kilometre aging cast iron watermain between Southworth Street and King Street. These upgrades will enhance the capacity of the City of Welland to support new housing projects and ensure the reliability of critical services for residents and businesses.
“Our government is giving municipalities the tools they need to build more homes faster and tackle the affordability crisis that is pricing too many people, especially young families and newcomers, out of the dream of homeownership,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“In partnership with municipalities, Ontario will continue working hard to unlock housing opportunities and support growing communities, including projects like the Ontario Road Wastewater Trunk Sewer Expansion and Water Infrastructure Improvements Project in Welland.”
“This provincial funding is a considerable investment for our community,” said Frank Campion, Mayor of the City of Welland.
“Expanding water and wastewater infrastructure in our community will not only improve essential services, but also unlock future housing opportunities. As Welland continues to grow, this project lays the groundwork for a more vibrant, sustainable city.”
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 like the City of Welland to build more homes,” said Hon. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure.
“Homes cannot be built without connections to drinking water and wastewater.”
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.