Moishe Alexander proudly comments that the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick today announced that 393 social housing units will receive $2.84 million for repairs and renovations.

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. 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 federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $75 million under the amended Canada–New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

Renovations include exterior retrofits, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, fire safety, energy improvements and site works.

Tilly O’Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable John Foran, New Brunswick Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, on behalf of the Honourable Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Housing, made the announcement today.

“In its second year, our government’s Economic Action Plan is stimulating the economy and creating jobs during the global recession here in New Brunswick and across Canada,” said MP O’Neill-Gordon. “Renovation projects like these are a good way to get the local economy moving and put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly. Most importantly, they are giving a hand-up to those who need it most, by improving the quality of social housing.”

“We are pleased to work together to provide affordable and safe accommodations for low-income seniors, families and to those who have accessibility needs in northeastern New Brunswick,” Foran said. “Affordable housing is a key component of Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan to ensure New Brunswickers have a quality, energy-efficient place to call home.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

Alberta and Moishe Alexander pleased with funding initiative for low income needs.

Low-income Alberta families, individuals, seniors and persons with disabilities will soon have greater access to affordable housing, thanks to a more than $70-million federal-provincial investment for 19 projects, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Jonathan Denis, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs made the announcement today.

The announcement was made at a special signing for Mayfair Village, an affordable housing project in downtown Edmonton which will bring affordable rental accommodation to 237 families and individuals. In addition to the $6.3-million federal and provincial contribution in this project, the City of Edmonton is also investing $7.8 million in the project.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is providing a hand-up to those who need it most here in Alberta and in all corners of the country,” said Minister Merrifield. “We are committed to making communities stronger. These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the economy, while providing access to safe, affordable homes for Canadians.”

“The province is proud to partner with the federal government, non-profit and for profit groups to develop more affordable housing in Alberta,” said Honourable Jonathan Denis, Minister of Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs. “These partnerships allow us to build more housing units at less of a cost to the taxpayer, which is particularly important during tough economic times.”

“The Mayfair Village development is an example of the great work we can do in cooperation with our provincial and federal partners,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “The integration of affordable and accessible units into our neighbourhoods city-wide will further cultivate the diverse and vibrant communities that make Edmonton a remarkable place to live.”

“These units will make a positive difference in the lives of many of our community members,” said George Schluessel, Chief Executive Officer and President of ProCura Real Estate Services Ltd. “The proponents thank the Federal government and the Alberta government for their ongoing commitment to increase the supply of affordable housing and for funding for these much needed initiatives.”

Including the Mayfair Village development, the federal and provincial governments announced they are investing equally in 19 housing projects across Alberta. Cost-matched government funding announced today will facilitate the construction of seven projects in Calgary, four in Edmonton and eight in other Alberta communities for a total of 886 new affordable housing units.

The funding announced today has been made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and the extension of the Affordable Housing Initiative. Overall, the federal and provincial governments will be contributing equally to fund $238 million in housing investments under the amended Canada – Alberta Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

Non-profit organizations, private businesses and municipalities were eligible to apply for the funding through Alberta’s affordable housing Request for Proposals (RFP) process which leverages government funding with private-sector dollars. Successful applicants receive funding to purchase or build affordable housing units, renovate existing rental units, develop secondary units in private homes or support other options as identified by the community.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. The Action Plan provides $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Overall it provides more than $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Alberta Affordable Housing – Moishe Alexander

The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia today announced that social housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will receive $11.8 million for repairs and renovations, and an additional investment of $2.25 million for the construction of new housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. In total, this investment represents over $14 million for affordable housing in HRM.

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. 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 federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $96 million under the amended Canada – Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing. It also provides a total of $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing, including $400 million for housing for low-income seniors and $75 million for housing for persons with disabilities.

The Greystone project, located in Spryfield, will receive $5.9 million for repairs and renovation of 246 units for seniors and families. The Ida Mae Marriott project, also located in Spryfield will receive $3.15 million to construct 15 new units and to regenerate six existing units for a total of 21 units, which includes 18 units for seniors and three units for persons with disabilities. The remainder of nearly $5 million will be distributed amongst 10 projects (a total of 950 units for seniors and families) located throughout HRM for repairs and renovations. Repairs to the housing projects will include exterior refurbishments, including roofs, siding, windows and doors, in addition to interior upgrades to kitchens.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Nova Scotia Minister of Community Services, made the announcement today.

“Our Government remains committed through our ongoing Economic Action Plan to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Nova Scotia,” said Minister MacKay. “That’s why we’re proud to be investing in the construction and renovation of these units in Halifax, which will provide safe, affordable homes for years to come.”

“The province is committed to making life better for families in Nova Scotia. Housing is a fundamental part of the equation,” said Minister Peterson-Rafuse. “We are very happy to improve and increase affordable housing in metro Halifax. This investment will mean more families, seniors, and people with disabilities will be living in safe, comfortable, accessible homes.”

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.

Nova Scotia and Affordable Housing in Halifax