NDP Housing Critic Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) used today’s Question Period to reveal the McGuinty government’s dirty and not-so-little affordable housing secret – a $200-million funding shortfall.

While the McGuinty government promised to invest $300-million of provincial money in affordable housing by March 31, 2009, documents provided by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing indicate only $100-million will actually be spent.

“Despite the Minister’s attempt to lay the blame on the federal government, this deplorable situation lies squarely with his ministry and his government,” said DiNovo. “The McGuinty Liberals’ own documents prove they are failing to deliver on their affordable housing promise. Meanwhile, the waiting list for affordable housing across the province continues to grow.”

The 2005 federal-provincial affordable housing agreement committed the federal government to a $366-million investment, while Ontario was to commit an additional $301-million.

The province is responsible for managing execution of the agreement and promised to create 20,500 new affordable housing units. The federal government is on track to deliver their share of funding by the time the agreement expires on March 31, 2009 – the end of the current fiscal year.

“Ontarians are beginning to see through the McGuinty Liberal rhetoric. This staggering affordable housing shortfall shortchanges the neediest Ontarians. It means that only 7,300 new affordable housing will be made available – a far cry from the 20,500 promised,” added DiNovo, noting that the waiting list for affordable housing across the province now stands at 170,000 households