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Canada’s Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Housing On Reserve in Ontario — Kenora

Comments: 0July 16th, 2010 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander:

The Government of Canada has announced an investment of more than $14 million as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for 20 First Nations communities in Ontario. 

Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, made the announcement in Kenora today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Ontario,” said MP Rickford.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nations communities build new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also create jobs for the communities, providing an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas.

Of the funding, $65 million will be made available specifically to Ontario First Nations in order to address immediate housing needs. CMHC allocated more than $4.7 million to retrofit 251 existing housing units on-reserve in Ontario, as well as more than $9.6 million for subsidy associated with 47 new housing units to be constructed in six First Nation communities in Ontario.

MP Rickford was pleased to announce this funding on behalf of Minister Finley, since he began his career as a nurse and spent time in many isolated First Nations communities in Ontario.

“Our Government’s investment is crucial not only to address overcrowding, but to allow communities to tackle many of the social challenges and health issues that accompany it”, said Rickford.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations through targeted investments to build and renovate housing. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of commitments by the federal government to improve housing conditions in First Nations communities. 

This commitment is in addition to the federal government’s annual investment, through Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), of approximately $277 million for on-reserve housing needs, and INAC’s investment of approximately $118 million annually for First Nations on-reserve in the form of shelter allowance payments under the Income Assistance Program.

Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has provided $400 million over two years to support on-reserve housing. Of the $400 million committed, $250 million will be delivered through CMHC over two years for the creation of new on-reserve housing ($125 million) and the repair and renovation of existing federally-assisted on-reserve social housing ($125 million). The remaining $150 million will be delivered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for lot servicing, renovations, new construction of high-density multi-unit dwellings, and renovations to support the conversion of band-owned housing to private ownership.

In 2007, the Government invested $300 million in the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which encourages market-based housing on-reserve.

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Posted in CMHC, Housing Market, Housing Starts, Social Housing, affordable housing

Governments of Canada and Manitoba Celebrate 40 New Affordable Housing Units for Seniors in Virden

Comments: 0April 16th, 2010 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

Funding for 40 new housing units for low-income seniors was announced today in Virden. The project, led by the Virden Centennial Housing Corporation, will include 19 one-bedroom units and 21 two-bedroom units. Construction on the project is expected to start this spring, and be completed in the spring of 2011.

Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon – Souris, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Brandon East MLA Drew Caldwell, on behalf of the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development broke ground today at the project site.

Funding in the amount of $2.49 million has been made available for the project through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this initiative with an investment of $158 million under the amended Canada – Manitoba Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

“Through Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Manitoba and throughout the country,” said MP Merv Tweed. “That’s why we’re investing in today’s project, which will deliver safe and affordable housing that meets the needs of seniors in Virden.”

“We’re providing seniors with the option to remain in their community surrounded by friends and family, and be able to find affordable housing there as well,” said Brandon East MLA Drew Caldwell. “This is an important project for the community of Virden and it’s great to work with such committed partners who want to see this project succeed.”

Funding from the governments of Canada and Manitoba will also support the development of geothermal heating and cooling.

Today’s announcement builds on the work of the Age — Friendly Manitoba Initiative to support seniors in leading active, socially engaged, independent lives that contribute to healthy aging. The initiative’s goal is to make Manitoba the most age-friendly province in Canada by working with the communities and the federal government to enhance the programs and services that benefit the well-being of all seniors.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

The province, with the financial support of the Government of Canada, is making a two-year $327 million investment in social housing, and will create 1,500 more affordable homes over the next five years. As well, 1,500 households will benefit from renovations to their homes and 12,000 households will benefit from building improvements. HOMEWorks! supports ALLAboard, Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, Aging in Place, and Manitoba’s Action Strategy for Economic Growth. It also provides vital links to community and economic development.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, affordable housing

Social Housing in Saskatchewan Being Renovated

Comments: 0April 12th, 2010 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan today announced $23 million in joint funding for improvements to over 219 projects in 84 communities in central and northern locations of Saskatchewan.

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $132 million under the amended Canada – Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

The announcement took place today at Luther Tower, a 22-storey building consisting of 197 affordable units for low and moderate income seniors. A total of $441,000 was provided by the Government of Canada and Saskatchewan to complete window repairs to the units. The approved work for the 219 projects announced today will be completed through 2010 – 2011.

Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon – Humboldt, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable Don Morgan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and MLA for Saskatoon – South East, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

“Through Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most,” said MP Trost. “Projects like these are especially valuable right now, because they put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly, while at the same time providing needed improvements to housing throughout the country.”

“Our government is actively working with the federal government, and other community partners, to ensure that safe, affordable and well-maintained housing will be available to meet the current and future needs of Saskatchewan citizens,” Minister Morgan said. “Luther Tower is an example of the types of renovations that are being undertaken to make a real and lasting difference in communities across Saskatchewan.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

The amendment to the Canada – Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which included funding under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, signed in May 2009, brought federal housing support of $74 million to the province. The Government of Saskatchewan will match that commitment for a total of $148 million to assist those in housing need and, in collaboration with other levels of government and community partners, to make various types of affordable housing programs possible. In Saskatchewan, federal-provincial housing programs are delivered through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, affordable housing

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