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11 · Wednesday, November 16, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Housing cash will create jobs Continued d from f page 1 The cash can be used to create new units or renovate facilities to provide affordable housing. Carr said he isn't sure how many housing units $10.8 million buys. "There is some money we put in as well. We are one of the few municipalities that has not only been able to freeze taxes, but also reallocate some money," said Carr. "In our plan, we're looking at anything from 100 new units a year to 150 new units, depending on the money." Carr said the location of the new units would be determined by the need. Halton's Commissioner of Social and Community Services Sheldon Wolfson said there is no shortage of need for affordable housing in Halton with wait lists for units currently at 2.7 years. "We are working hard to reduce that wait time," said Wolfson. He also said that while not all of the $10.8 million represents new dollars, as the federal/provincial investment replaces several existing programs, the investment is still important. "Most housing programs are of a limited period of time," said Wolfson. "So the fact that they have confirmed that we are getting this type of funding is very good news." Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn said he was also happy about the Halton Region investment and said he would advocate to ensure Habitat for "We'll have some work to do in the building of affordable housing. That's going to keep 5,000 families in a job for the next three to four years." Kevin Flynn, Oakville MPP Humanity Halton received some of the allocated funds. Besides giving people homes, Flynn said, the investment would create 5,000 construction jobs for Ontario in the process. "That's good news because a lot of the stimulus programs are coming to an end," he said. "So, just at a time when the construction workers and the engineers and the architects are all looking for other work, we'll have some work to do in the building of affordable housing. That's going to keep 5,000 families in a job for the next thee to four years." While Carr is grateful for the funding, he hopes it isn't fleeting. "The agreement has been signed, but the federal minister and the provincial minister yesterday (Wednesday) have been talking about some austerity measures to deal with the deficits," he said. "We're very hopeful that will not include a reduction of any of these agreements on housing, which have been signed because, quite frankly, the money is long overdue." The Benefits of an Easy-Flo Built-In Vacuum System · Priced Right! · LIFETIME WARRANTY Durable components assure long life and solid performance · Super Quiet Ideal for homes of all sizes, as well as townhomes and condos · Compact Size Fits almost anywhere $ FOR ONLY Electric Power Hose Power Head 9 Piece tool set Ideal replacement for centrals that are: > Noisy > Blowing dust > Lacking power > In need of repair ­ why repair when you can replace an existing system for a similar cost? 35 years in Oakville We Repair all Makes of Vacuum Cleaners & Sewing Machines INCLUDES FREE 399 Canadian Made OAKVILLE VACUUM LTD. 198 SPEERS RD. OAKVILLE 905-844-4736 Just west of Kerr Street, beside Money Mart