WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 05, 2009 — The Government of Canada and the province of Manitoba are partnering on a joint investment to build new and renovate existing affordable housing. This investment will help create jobs, strengthen the economy, and improve the quality of life for the residents of Manitoba.
Both levels of government officially signed an amendment to the Canada – Manitoba Affordable Housing Program Agreement and an extension to the Canada – Manitoba Housing Renovation Program Agreement, resulting in a joint investment of almost $192 million over the next two years.
The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, 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 Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Family Services and Housing, 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 aggressively to ensure Canada’s Economic Action Plan is implemented rapidly,” said Minister Toews. “We are helping our most vulnerable Canadians, including seniors and persons with disabilities, to access suitable, affordable housing, as well as making needed renovations to existing social housing both in Manitoba and across Canada.”
“With the financial support of the Government of Canada, Manitoba can continue to build on a commitment of important housing initiatives,” said Minister Mackintosh. “Today’s announcement demonstrates that together we can provide a strong foundation for Manitobans in need by providing appropriate and affordable housing options.”
Today’s announcement includes federal funding of $79 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 in Canada. The province will also contribute $79 million for these initiatives, over the next two years.
These investments build upon the $1.9 billion commitment for housing and homelessness programs announced by the Government of Canada in September 2008, which extended the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) and the renovation programs for low-income households for two years. Today’s announcement also includes a $21 million federal investment and a $13 million provincial investment for the two-year extensions to build new affordable housing and assist low-income households with needed renovations to their homes.
Included in Manitoba’s projects funded through these initiatives are a 3-storey, 42 unit supportive and assisted living complex for seniors in Grunthal and a 2-storey, 32 unit fully accessible seniors assisted living building in Winnipeg Beach. Winnipeg Habitat for Humanity will also receive funding towards the construction of 10 homes to be sold to low-to-moderate income families, who will contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” towards building their home. These homes will be built to meet Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart Gold Standard, with eight of the ten built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Silver Certification or higher.
Overall, the federal contribution is close to $100 million, while the province is contributing some $92 million, for a combined investment of almost $192 million.
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.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada.
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The Government of Canada’s commitment to affordable housing is significant.
Overall, Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides a total of $7.8 billion to build quality housing, stimulate construction, create jobs, encourage home ownership and enhance the energy efficiency of Canadian homes. In the process, it will provide new and renovated housing for more than 200,000 Canadian households.
Of the $7.8 billion, more than $2 billion is provided through CMHC to build new and renovate existing social housing. This will include:
Most of this funding, $1.525 billion of the more than $2 billion, is being delivered by provinces and territories through amendments to existing agreements. Provinces and territories will design and deliver these initiatives, as well as cost-match the federal investment.
The federal government will directly deliver the remaining $550 million of this $2 billion funding: $150 million for the renovation and retrofit of social housing projects administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and $400 million in new construction and repair for housing on-reserve through CMHC and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
In September 2008, the Government of Canada also announced $1.9 billion over five years for housing and homelessness programs for low-income Canadians. As part of this investment, the Affordable Housing Initiative and the federal renovation programs for low-income households were extended for two years. Today’s announcement also includes a federal investment of $21 million and provincial investment of $13 million for these two-year extensions.
Overall, the federal contribution is almost $100 million, while the province is contributing a further $92 million for the combined investment of $192 million.
As well, up to $2 billion in low-cost repayable loans for housing-related infrastructure projects will be made available to towns and cities across the country.
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, spends approximately $1.7 billion annually to support almost 625,000 low- and moderate-income households in existing social housing across Canada. In Manitoba, the federal government provides more than $118 million annually primarily to support some 41,950 households.