Posts Tagged ‘Minister’

Governments of Canada and Yukon Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Teslin and Faro

Comments: 0November 5th, 2009 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Jim Kenyon, Minister Responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, today launched the construction phase of two new housing projects for seniors in Faro and Teslin.

The $4.7 million federal contribution to these projects comes through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Recognizing the distinctive needs of the North, Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $200 million, over two years, including $50 million for Yukon, to support the renovation and the construction of new social housing units. 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 Government of Canada is committed to providing Canadians a hand up to those who need it the most,” said Minister Finley. “Through this investment we are helping make an important difference in the lives of individuals and families in Faro and Teslin who are trying to build a better future for themselves.”

“With funding from Canada, Yukon government is launching several important housing projects in the territory,” said Minister Kenyon. “Access to affordable and accommodating housing gives seniors the option of staying in their community as they grow older. Faro and Teslin will benefit from retaining this important generation within their population.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP) will provide $2 million to construct a seniors’ residence in Faro, which has one of the highest ratio of seniors and near-seniors among Yukon’s municipalities. The residence will contain six 1-bedroom suites.

CEAP funding of $2.7 million was approved for seniors’ residence in Teslin. The residence will contain seven 1-bedroom suites and one 2-bedroom suite. Two of the seven units are for seniors with a disability.

Construction in both communities is underway and will continue throughout the winter, generating employment for trades. Completion is anticipated for the fall of 2010.

Both buildings are wood frame construction and feature SuperGreen energy efficiency standards and Accommodating Home standards for a barrier-free living environment.

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.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, moishe alexander

Affordable Housing announced for Quispamsis

Comments: 0October 16th, 2009 by admin

Posted by Moishe Alexander

16 new accessible and seniors apartments were announced today by the provincial and federal governments. The new Quispamsis units are funded under Phase III of the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement.

New Brunswick Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock, also the Minister responsible for Housing, and Saint John MP Rodney Weston announced the $1.8 million project at Ken-Val United Church Suites today.

“We are pleased to collaborate with our partners to provide affordable living for low-income seniors, and to those who have accessibility needs in the Quispamsis area,” said Lamrock. “Affordable housing is part of this government’s efforts to ensure that we provide New Brunswickers with a quality, energy-efficient place to call home. ”

The housing units are being developed by Ken-Val United Church Suites Inc, a non-profit corporation. The project is receiving $480,000 in funding under the federal Affordable Housing Trust to offset construction costs, as well as just over $1 million in rent supplements from the Province of New Brunswick.

“This is great news for seniors in the Quispamsis area,” said MP Weston. “These new apartments will help provide more options for seniors in need of suitable, affordable housing and they will also contribute to the economic and social well-being of the community.”

MP Weston spoke on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Funding is available to private non-profit organizations, co-operatives, and community or private developers interested in developing projects for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, non-elderly singles, disabled persons and persons with special needs.

Ken-Val United Church Suites is being built to high energy-efficiency standards, and the developers have involved consultation with Efficiency NB. Builders of affordable housing projects for low-income individuals may receive an incentive of $2,000 per apartment unit if the building is heated by low greenhouse gas emission technologies as approved by Efficiency NB.

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Posted in CMHC, Canada, affordable housing, moishe alexander

Moishe Alexander Celebrates New Affordable Housing in Durham Region

Comments: 0September 8th, 2009 by admin

The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the Regional Municipality of Durham today celebrated the start of construction of four new affordable housing projects, and the near-completion of one project. The projects are supported by $11.2 million in funding under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program to create 160 affordable housing units.

Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa, 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); Joe Dickson, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ajax – Pickering, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Regional Chair Roger Anderson; and affordable housing sponsors Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation, Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation, TGFG Ventures, Inc., and Cher-Brook Properties Inc., attended the event.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Carrie. “These projects are helping low-income families access safe and suitable housing, and build a stronger future for themselves.”

“Our government knows that providing affordable housing is one of the most important ways we can help our citizens,” said MPP Dickson. “The projects we are celebrating today, such as the 82-unit residence in Ajax, will make a positive difference in the lives of the people who will call them home.”

Today’s announcement recognized five affordable housing projects in the Region of Durham:

  • A 32-unit project in Oshawa for individuals living in low-income and individuals with special needs, sponsored by TGFG Ventures Inc. The $3.9 million project received more than $2.2 million under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
  • An 82-unit project in Ajax for individuals living on low-income, sponsored by Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation. The $13.7 million project received more than $5.7 million in funding under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
  • A 29-unit project in Oshawa for individuals living on low-income and individuals with special needs, sponsored by Cher-Brook Properties Inc. The $5.1 million dollar project received more than $2 million in funding under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
  • A 5-unit project in Uxbridge for seniors, sponsored by Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation. This $666,655 project received $350,000 under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
  • A 12-unit project in Oshawa for individuals living on low-incomes, sponsored by Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation. The $2.8 million project received $840,000 under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The federal and provincial allocations to the projects were complemented by over $4.5 million in municipal financial incentives.

“Today’s event is a celebration of affordable housing in Durham Region,” stated Regional Chair Roger Anderson. “We are appreciative of the funding commitment provided by our provincial and federal partners. We will continue to work in co-operation with them to help ensure that the residents of Durham Region have access to affordable housing for years to come.”

The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, signed in 2005, comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next 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. Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.

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Posted in CMHC, Housing Market, affordable housing