HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, October 23, 2003 — Twenty-seven housing organizations and developers from the Atlantic region will receive up to $20,000 each to help develop housing project proposals under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Seed Funding initiative.
The Honourable Steven Mahoney, Secretary of State Responsible for CMHC, made the announcement, saying the selected submissions in the Atlantic region are just part of the 240 housing proponents selected from across Canada.
"This proposal call provided Canadians with a terrific opportunity to take the lead in presenting their proposals on how to solve some of our country's housing challenges" said Secretary of State Mahoney. "The impressive response proves the importance of housing to communities across Canada."
Seed Funding offers financial assistance, complemented by training, to groups and individuals for housing projects that will be affordable or innovative or community-based, or any combination of these characteristics. The financial assistance is in the form of a grant of up to $10,000 and an interest-free loan of up to $10,000. Total funding for this round could be as much as $4.8 million nationally.
Seed Funding recipients will use the money to pay for a variety of activities including housing market studies to evaluate need and demand for the proposed project, development of a business plan and preliminary architectural drawings.
In evaluating the applications for Seed Funding, received through a Canada-wide call, CMHC looked at the clarity of the proponent's objectives, compatibility with program criteria, ability of applicants to carry out the proposed activities and the need for funding.
"I am confident that this initiative will create the momentum needed to get community support and draw out the resources needed to turn ideas into tangible bricks and mortar," added Secretary of State Mahoney. "I look forward to seeing these housing proposals taking shape as homes for Canadians."
A backgrounder listing successful applicants follows.
For more information
Audrey Moritz
CMHC Atlantic Business Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
(902) 426-8430
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
East Royalty Lions Seniors Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Charlottetown
Native Council of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown
Stars for Life Foundation, Charlottetown
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #13, Sunrise Lodge Inc, Hunter River
Smith Thomas Properties, O'Leary
Ellen Inc.(Palladium Property Development), Souris
G.E. Hannan, Souris
NEW BRUNSWICK
Conseil Acadien de la Coopération, Caraquet
River Valley Lions Club, Grand Bay / Westfield
Future Horizons Housing Inc., Moncton
Alternative Residences Alternatives Inc., Moncton
Regional Co-operative Development Centre-Lameque, Moncton
Regional Co-operative Development Centre-Sussex, Moncton
Regional Co-operative Development Centre-Woodstock, Moncton
Saint John Community Loan Fund Inc., Saint John
NOVA SCOTIA
The Antigonish Women's Resource Centre, Antigonish
Development Isle Madame Association Inc., Arichat
Scotia Nursing Homes Ltd., Beaver Bank
Scotia Nursing Homes Ltd., Beaver Bank
Claudia Jahn, Musquodoboit Harbour
Pictou County Women's Centre, New Glasgow
Wickwire Co-operative Limited, Sydney
Glace Bay Seniors Equity Housing Co-operative, Sydney
Grace Lands Seniors Health & Residential Co-operative, Sydney
NEWFOUNDLAND
Barbara Ivany, Anglican Homes Inc., St. John's
Doris Hopkirk, St.John's
Stella Bury Community Services (SBCS), St. John's