London building critical infrastructure,17,500 new homes with $23 million from province

Ontario Construction News staff writer

The Ontario government is contributing more than $23 million for the construction of 17,576 new homes in the City of London.

Across the province, funding from the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund includes $970 million to help municipalities develop, repair, rehabilitate and expand drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

“We’re working with our municipal partners here in London and across Ontario to get more homes built faster,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With billions of dollars in investments in housing-enabling infrastructure, our government is helping get more shovels in the ground to keep the dream of homeownership alive and help families find a home that meets their needs and their budgets.”

In London, the plan includes increasing the capacity of wastewater infrastructure by replacing 175 metres of sanitary sewers under the Thames River and constructing new wastewater shafts. The project will support the city’s growing population, unlock more housing opportunities and support economic growth.

“The province’s investment in London’s infrastructure will grant us virtually unlimited capacity for growth in the core of our city,” said London Mayor Josh Morgan. “This funding not only accelerates our ability to meet the demand for housing of all kinds but supports London’s growing population and backs continued economic development.”

The province is now 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. Under the second intake, $120 million will be dedicated to projects in small, rural and northern municipalities without housing targets.

Details about the second application intake and eligibility for the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund are available at ontario.ca/watersystemsfund. The second intake will provide an additional $250 million in funding.

“Over 40,000 new Ontarians have made London and the surrounding region home since 2021. The economic security and confidence that massive investment attraction wins like Volkswagen in St. Thomas and Maple Leaf Foods and Amazon in London have brought proves that our government’s plan to rebuild Ontario’s economy is working,” said Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack. “This infrastructure investment will help deliver the housing the region needs while reinforcing the momentum we are enjoying and our long-term economic growth.”