New affordable homes coming to Sault Ste. Marie

Solving Canada’s housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs. To provide Canadians with increased access to affordable and sustainable housing, the federal and provincial governments announced a combined investment of more than $5.3 million for the construction of 14 housing units, that support people experiencing homelessness in Sault Ste. Marie, including women and children fleeing domestic violence.

The announcement was made by Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie – Algoma, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Roberston, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, and the Honourable Rob Flack, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, alongside Chris Scott, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, Matthew Shoemaker, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, and Stephanie Pagnucco, Chair of the Board for the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation.

These supportive units are part of two separate projects aimed at addressing urgent housing needs in the community. The Community Resource Centre, located at 721 Wellington Street East, has been serving the local community since 2023 continuing to provide support with 22-emergency shelter bed and 22 transition bridge units. The units are designed for long-term stays helping individuals to transition from homelessness to permanent housing. Residents of these units have access to a kitchen, shower, laundry facilities as well as an on-site healthcare clinic and on-site mental health and addictions counseling.

The second project is an 11-plex modular housing project located in the western area of Sault Ste. Marie, that will provide transitional housing to women and children fleeing domestic abuse. These transitional units are supported by Women In Crisis (WIC) and include life skills training, educational upgrades, in-demand skills training and stability services for up to 24 months as women and children wait for permanent housing.

This investment is made possible thanks to the Canada – Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) and the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI); initiatives of the Canada – Ontario Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.

As we build a strong Canadian housing sector, purposeful collaboration will be essential. That means working hand-in-hand with the non-profit sector to bring down costs and build homes at a scale and speed not seen since the Second World War.

Quotes:

“The federal government is committed to helping communities develop local solutions to address the housing crisis. The projects announced today will provide more safe, affordable homes for the most vulnerable residents of Sault Ste. Marie. I’m proud of our government’s involvement, and of the tangible difference it will make for people in this community”

“Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to call home. This announcement will help many families and individuals to heal and rebuild their lives, offering not just a home but also hope. The federal government’s ongoing support and commitment to creating affordable housing will help improve the lives of the most vulnerable from our community, here in Sault Ste. Marie.”

“Supportive housing enables people to get back on their feet with the supports they need to build a better future in Sault Ste. Marie and in communities across Ontario. Our government is working hand-in-hand with our federal and municipal partners to build more affordable and supportive housing to protect our vulnerable residents and ensure they have a roof over their heads.”

“This funding helps create transitional housing units that offer a lifeline for safety and stability to individuals who need it most. We’re delivering urgently needed housing to protect women, children, and vulnerable individuals throughout our community.”

“I want to express our sincere gratitude for this vital investment in our community. These new transitional housing units are more than just buildings — they represent safety, dignity, and a fresh start. For individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, having a secure place to turn to is life-changing. We are committed to supporting vulnerable residents and advancing housing supports that improve safety and stability in our community.”

Quick facts:

• The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10+ year, $115+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
  • As of March 2025, the federal government has committed $65.84 billion to support the creation of over 166,000 units and the repair of over 322,000 units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
  • NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and people with lived experience of housing need.
• All NHS investments delivered by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments will respect the key principles of NHS that support partnerships, people, and communities. 
• The Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) is a funding initiative under the CMHC – Ontario Bilateral Agreement. This 10-year agreement provides more than $378 million in federal OPHI funding to help protect, renew and expand community housing and support Ontario’s priorities related to housing repair, construction and affordability.
• The Canada – Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) is a funding initiative under the Canada – Ontario Bilateral Agreement that provides funding to repair, regenerate and expand community housing so tenants can live in a home that is affordable. It can also be used to support community housing providers whose original program arrangements are expiring and help them to become more sustainable.
• The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is delivered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the NHS. It provides funding to facilitate the rapid construction of new housing and the acquisition of existing buildings for the purpose of rehabilitation or conversion to permanent affordable housing units. With its third phase, launched in 2022, the Rapid Housing Initiative once again exceeded targets. It is expected that with this phase over 5,200 new homes will be created, of which almost half will be for women and one third will be for Indigenous Peoples. The total number of units created with the support of Rapid Housing Initiative is expected to be over 16,000 units. The program is now closed.
  • The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, Veterans, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, racialized groups, and recent immigrants or refugees.
• Funding provided for 721 Wellington St East is as follows:
  • $1.3 million through the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative to support the construction of 22 units previously announced in 2024.
  • $431,300 from the federal and provincial governments through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative to support the construction of 3 units.
  • $4 million from the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board
• Funding provided for the project located in the western area of Sault Ste. Marie is as follows:
  • $4.9 million from the Canada – Ontario Community Housing Initiative.

Additional information:

Visit canada.ca/housing for the most-requested Government of Canada housing information.

CMHC plays a critical role as a national facilitator to promote stability and sustainability in Canada’s housing finance system. Our mortgage insurance products support access to homeownership and the creation and maintenance of rental supply. We also actively support the Government of Canada in delivering on its commitment to make housing more affordable. Our research and data help inform housing policy. By facilitating cooperation between all levels of government, private and non-profit sectors, we contribute to advancing housing affordability, equity, and climate compatibility. Follow us on X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. 

The Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, helps speed up the construction of new homes and infrastructure by streamlining development processes and reducing costs, in partnership with municipalities.  

For more information on affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing or follow us on X.

Information on this news release:

Renée LeBlanc Proctor
Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
renee.proctor@infc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Alexandra Sanita
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Alexandra.Sanita2@ontario.ca