Construction of 42 new affordable housing units for disadvantaged women will begin this spring near Somerset and Booth streets.
On Tuesday, federal, provincial and municipal officials announced $6 million in funding to building an apartment complex at 314 Booth St.
The economic stimulus project sponsored by Cornerstone/Le Pilier — a community organization dedicated to providing shelter and housing for women — is slated to open in early 2011.
“We will change the lives of 42 individuals in our community,” said Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Jim Watson.
Mayor Larry O’Brien said the unit is a step forward in solving chronic homelessness issues.
He said the continued cooperation with the federal and provincial governments will lead to many more similar projects for this city.
“Affordable housing is necessary in order to build a community that is healthy strong and inclusive,” said O’Brien.
Director of Cornerstone Sue Garvey said they wanted to build housing for women so that they could stay there for many years.
Twenty of the units in the four-storey complex will be reserved for seniors and the complex will be fully accessible for people with disabilities.
Garvey said they still need ensure that they have all the operating funding to ensure support programs are in place.
Since the building is across the street from the Somerset West Community Health Centre, it will be able to form partnerships to deliver care and social services, said Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi.
