Canadian Mortgage News

August 2009 National News Archive

Pembroke Celebrates New Affordable Housing

PEMBROKE, Ontario, August 21, 2009 — The Government of Canada officially opened an 18-unit affordable housing project today. Originally an old school, the new complex will provide affordable housing for low-income individuals and those with special needs in Pembroke.

The $1.17M conversion project has 10 units of affordable housing and eight accessible units for those with special needs.

Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament for Renfrew – Nipissing – Pembroke, 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); Janice Visneckie, former Warden of Renfrew County; and project sponsors Aurel and Linda Boucher, along with guests and tenants officially opened the new facility on McKenzie Street.

“This Government is working hard to support Canadians during these challenging economic times,” said MP Gallant. “With these investments in Pembroke, we are making an important difference in the lives of some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens. Low-income individuals and those with special needs now have quality, affordable housing, while remaining close to their families and friends.”

The federal government provided $624,000 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP — Conversion) and RRAP Persons with Disabilities to renovate the school. RRAP — Persons with Disabilities funded the creation of eight accessible units for those with special needs. This program provides financial assistance for the creation of affordable housing for low-income households by the conversion of non-residential properties into affordable, self-contained rental housing units.

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.

As Canada’s national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) draws on over 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country. For more information call 1-800-668-2642.

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News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)