Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category

Posted by Moishe Alexander:

The Government of Canada announced today that four housing co-operatives located in Roberval – Lac-Saint-Jean will receive more that $362,000 through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This contribution is part of the more than $22 million federal investment, announced earlier today by Minister Finley, for the renovation and retrofit of housing projects across Québec.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said Minister Lebel. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like this one, will not only improve the quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable, but it will also help stimulate the local economy and create local jobs.”

The Government of Canada, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

Posted by Moishe Alexander

The Government of Canada announced today that five housing co-operatives and non-profit organizations located in Montmagny – L’Islet-Kamouraska – Rivière-du-Loup will receive more that $160,000, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

The announcement was made today by Bernard Généreux, Member of Parliament for Montmagny – L’Islet-Kamouraska – Rivière-du-Loup, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This contribution is part of the more than $22 million federal investment, announced earlier today by Minister Finley, for the renovation and retrofit of housing projects across Québec.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said MP Généreux. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like this one, will not only improve the quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable, but it will also help stimulate the local economy and create local jobs.”

The Government of Canada, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

Posted by Moishe Alexander

“Vacancy rates and rent levels in the seniors’ housing market are higher than those in the traditional rental market,” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist for CMHC. “Seniors’ residences provide a wide variety of amenities and services to their tenants. These services and amenities contribute to rents that are higher than in the traditional rental market. These higher rents, coupled with more frequent turn-over, result in higher vacancy rates.”

The national vacancy rate applies to standard spaces, which are defined as:

  • private units such as a bachelor, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment occupied by a single individual or a couple; one unit is considered as one standard space;
  • semi-private units (one unit is considered as two standard spaces);
  • ward units (one unit is considered as three standard spaces or more).

The vacancy rate is calculated for all standard spaces regardless of whether the occupant participates in a meal plan or requires medical services. The vacancy rate covers only spaces that accommodate residents who receive less than 1.5 hours of care per day.

Vacancy rates varied considerably across the country, from a low of 6.2 per cent in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick to a high of 18.1 per cent in Newfoundland and Labrador. The vacancy rates for standard spaces in Ontario (16.4 per cent), Nova Scotia (15 per cent) and Alberta (12.2 per cent) were above the national average of 10.8 per cent, while the rates in British Columbia (10.4 per cent), Quebec (8.4 per cent), Manitoba (7.9 per cent), and Prince Edward Island (7.1 per cent) were below the national average.

The average rent for bachelor/private units, where at least one meal is included in the rent, was $1,857 per month. Quebec posted the lowest average rent at $1,329, while Ontario posted the highest average rent at $2,585.