The Prudhommes Landing development site will directly benefit from the funding. Pictured: Rendering of future development site. Photo Credit: NiagaraDev.
Niagara’s growing population has increased the need for affordable housing exponentially. The desperation for this necessity of life is being experienced in both the large and smaller regional municipalities.
In a new initiative to help service the demand, the Ontario government announced on Sept. 19 that it would provide more than $22 million to improve drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in the Town of Lincoln. The funds will be delivered through the first round of investments from the new provincial Housing-Enabling Water System Fund, which is dedicating $970 million to advance these objectives provincewide.
“Reliable water infrastructure is essential to the safety, well-being and growth of our community and this funding from the Province of Ontario is crucial to helping us achieve these goals,” Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton remarked. “We are grateful for the support from the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which allows us to move forward with these essential upgrades. These improvements not only meet today’s needs but also support Lincoln’s future growth, as outlined in the Prudhommes Secondary Plan.”
The Prudhommes Landing development site, which is located in Vineland Station, will directly benefit from the funding. The Prudhommes project is expected to facilitate the construction of 4,462 homes in the Town of Lincoln.
“On behalf of Regional Council, we are pleased to see the Ontario government’s continued investment in Niagara through the Housing-Enabling-Water Systems Fund,” said Niagara Regional Council Chair Jim Bradley. “This significant announcement of more than $22 million in the Town of Lincoln will ensure vital infrastructure is in place to support the Prudhommes Landing development site and construction of more than 4,400 new homes.”
“It is through partnerships like these that we can meet the needs of our growing communities and deliver on the shared goal of getting more homes built faster.”
The Ontario government committed more than $1.8 billion for housing-enabling infrastructure funding in Budget 2024. One billion dollars of these funds are being provided through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. The remaining $825 million is coming out of the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.
The provincial government was represented at the announcement by Niagara West MPP – Associate Minister of Energy and Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff, as well as Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is working to make the dream of homeownership a reality across our province,” said Sandhu. “Together with our municipal partners, we are getting the job done!”
Oosterhoff further expanded on the enthusiasm of Sandhu.
“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,” Oosterhoff explained. “In partnership with municipalities, Ontario will continue working hard to unlock housing opportunities and support growing communities, including well-planned projects like the Prudhommes Landing development site in Vineland Station in the Town of Lincoln.”
“The Prudhommes Landing development is a transformative project that will bring an additional 4,462 much-needed new homes to the Town of Lincoln and is part of our government’s commitment to build more homes faster and make life more affordable for Ontario families.”
Between the years of 2016 and 2021, the population of the Town of Lincoln grew by 8.1 per cent, becoming the home of more than 25,000 total residents. This number exceeds the provincial average growth rate of 5.8 per cent, by more than two per cent, and is nearly three per cent greater than the national growth rate of 5.2 per cent.
Those interested in learning more about the Prudhommes Secondary Plan can do so at the following link: Prudhommes Secondary Plan – Development Site
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
