Posts Tagged ‘Investments’

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Seniors’ Housing Project Opens in Hanley

Comments: 0November 2nd, 2009 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander
A seniors’ housing project featuring 12 new affordable rental units officially opened today in the Town of Hanley. The funding for the project is $648,000 and was provided by the Government of Canada, the Province of Saskatchewan and the Town of Hanley.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); Greg Brkich, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Arm River – Watrous, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation; and Marvin Gerbrandt, Mayor of Hanley.

“The Government of Canada is helping make affordable housing available in Saskatchewan and across Canada for those who need it the most,” said Minister Yelich. “These new units in Hanley are helping seniors access safe and suitable housing, and build a stronger future for themselves.”

“Our government is committed to providing affordable housing and housing services for the people of Saskatchewan, including seniors who helped build this province,” said MLA Brkich. “By working together with both levels of government and community partners, we are working to help meet various housing needs in Saskatchewan communities and building brighter futures and sustainable communities.”

“The Town of Hanley is proud of the opportunity to have provided seniors with affordable housing following the construction of a complex consisting of 12 two-bedroom suites,” said Mayor Gerbrandt. “Through this project, we have enabled the seniors of our community to stay in Hanley while encouraging other seniors to take advantage of what our town has to offer.”

The project consists of two buildings which were renovated into 12 two-bedroom rental units for low and moderate-income seniors, both singles and couples. The total capital cost of the project is approximately $1,200,000. Of that amount, the three levels of government provided $648,000 in the following manner: $324,000 from the federal government; $259,200 from the Province of Saskatchewan; and $64,800 from the Town of Hanley. The funding balance was provided in the form of mortgage financing (Saskatchewan Elks Foundation) and land contribution (Town of Hanley).

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, affordable housing, moishe alexander

Record Investment of More than $820 Million for Affordable Housing in Quebec

Comments: 0November 2nd, 2009 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

he governments of Canada and Quebec are partnering to provide a joint investment to build new affordable housing and renovate existing social housing throughout Quebec. In addition to providing economic stimulus, this investment will help create jobs and improve the quality of life for people across all regions of the province.

Both levels of government officially signed an extension to the Agreement for residential renovation and adaptation programs and the amending agreement for the Affordable Housing Initiative, which includes Canada’s Economic Action Plan, resulting in a joint investment of more than $820 million over the next two years.

The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affaires, President of the Queen’s Privy Council and Minister for la Francophonie, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, made the announcement at a signing ceremony today.

“The Government of Canada continues to work hard to support Canadians during these challenging economic times and has moved quickly to ensure Canada’s Economic Action Plan is implemented rapidly,” said Minister Verner. “We are stimulating our economy, while helping people in need, including seniors, persons with disabilities and low-income individuals, access suitable, affordable housing. We are also making needed renovations to existing social housing both in Quebec and across Canada.”

“We are partnering to build new affordable housing and renovate existing social existing to help Quebec households access adequate housing conditions. We are very proud that we can make a real contribution to the wellness of the population by providing access to a quality housing environment. In addition, these major investments will promote job creation — a plus for our economy and a source of wealth for Quebecers,” said Minister Lessard.

The investments announced today include $384 million from the Government of Canada, while the Government of Quebec is contributing a further $439 million.

Of the more than $820 million, the Government of Canada will allocate $269 million over two years under Canada’s Economic Action Plan as part of a one-time investment of more than $2 billion to build new and renovate existing social housing. Quebec will also contribute the same amount for these initiatives, over the next two years.

These investments build upon the $1.9 billion five-year commitment for housing and homelessness programs announced by the Government of Canada in September 2008, which extended the Affordable Housing Initiative and the renovation programs for low-income households for two more years. The extension of these programs means that a further sum of $285 million ($115 million from the Government of Canada and $170 million from the Government of Quebec) will be invested to build new affordable housing and assist low-income households with needed renovations to their homes.

CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes and making vibrant and sustainable communities and cities a reality across the country.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, affordable housing

Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia Open a Housing Project for the Homeless in Prince George

Comments: 0October 16th, 2009 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

Friendship Lodge, an $8.1-million, 30-unit apartment building, officially opened today to provide housing and support services for adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with mental health and addiction issues in Prince George.

“The Government of Canada is helping make affordable housing available in British Columbia and across Canada for those who need it the most,” said the Honourable Jay Hill, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and MP for Prince George – Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “These new units in Prince George improve the housing conditions for those at risk of homelessness with access to suitable, affordable housing that meets their specific needs.”

The Government of Canada provided a Canada – BC grant of $2 million, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The Province provided $5.9 million in mortgage financing through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, which integrates support services with housing to help people move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, greater self-reliance and appropriate employment. In addition, the Province is providing operational funding of $529,292 for administration including full-time onsite staffing and support services.

“Our government is working towards creating housing opportunities for our most vulnerable citizens so they can live in safe environments providing support services to ensure they get the help and guidance they need,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation and MLA for Prince George – Valemount. “Friendship Lodge has already made a positive impact on the Prince George community and I look forward to seeing and hearing more about the positive stories that will come from its residents.”

“Homelessness and affordable housing are important issues facing our community and surrounding regions,” said Mayor Dan Rogers, City of Prince George. “The opening of Friendship Lodge and Nutesne Yoh is a good step towards meeting the needs of our most vulnerable.”

Friendship Lodge will be managed and operated by Prince George Native Friendship Centre Society (PGNFCS). The society also manages and operates Nutesne Yoh (the former Astoria Hotel), a 17-unit supportive housing development for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with mental health and addiction issues. The Province provided approximately $1-million for the purchase and renovations of Nutesne Yoh and is providing $288,553 annually in operational funding.

“Our partnerships with the federal and provincial governments have allowed the Prince George Friendship Centre Society to officially open a total of 47 units of supportive housing to help struggling men and women find the housing and supports they so desperately need,” said Barbara Ward-Burkitt, M.Ed., executive director, PGNFCS. “I am confident that our newly expanded housing programs and support services will provide path ways for the residents to move toward long-term independence and greater self-reliance.”

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Increasing affordable housing, reducing homelessness and helping B.C.’s most vulnerable citizens is a key agenda for the Province of British Columbia. In 2009/10, the Province’s budget for affordable housing and shelters is $469 million, more than four times as much as in 2001.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, Ontario, moishe alexander

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