The governments of Canada and British Columbia, announced today $15.5 million for the construction of 322 modular housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities to be constructed by four B.C. modular housing manufacturers.
“The Harper Government is helping Canadian seniors and persons with disabilities during these tough economic times through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Our government’s investment of $7.75 million will stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession,” said Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Caribou, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Here in B.C., this achievement gives hope to seniors and people with disabilities who need quality affordable housing that meets their needs, while creating local jobs.”
“While the primary focus of the Seniors’ Rental Housing initiative is to provide affordable housing in rural and remote communities, we’re also creating employment and stimulating local economies by awarding the modular housing contracts to local modular manufacturers,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development. “These modular housing units will use close to 100 per cent B.C. wood sourced from Pine Beetle infected forests. This supports the new Wood First Act, which aims to increase demand for wood products by requiring provincially-funded building projects to use wood as the primary construction material.”
Through an amendment to the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments are contributing a combined total of $15.5 million for the construction of the 322 modular housing units. As part of the Seniors’ Rental Housing (SRH) initiative, these modular units will be shipped to selected rural communities across the Province to provide affordable housing for independent seniors and persons with disabilities.
The successful proponents, selected by BC Housing through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in August 2009, were Britco Structures Inc., Chaparral Industries, Freeport Industries Ltd. and Northern Trailer, a division of Horizon North. These companies will construct single-storey modular units which will be designed to incorporate energy efficient features and built using B.C. forest products.
“Modular construction integrates building processes by enabling greater control, higher quality, shorter timelines and lower, more predictable costs” said Mark Brown, president of Northern Trailer. “We are looking forward to working with the federal and provincial governments to customize the designs of the modular units to provide the most appropriate homes for seniors and persons with disabilities.”
The SRH initiative is a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia. It provides $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop up to 1,000 new affordable rental housing units, which will help to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under the terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments will provide matching contributions of $61.79 million.
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. It 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. 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 Province of British Columbia’s $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, helping to build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province and stimulating local economies across B.C.
The governments of Canada and British Columbia announced today $15.5 million for the construction of 322 modular housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities to be constructed by four B.C. modular housing manufacturers, including Chaparral Industries.
“The Harper Government is helping Canadian seniors and persons with disabilities during these tough economic times through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Our government’s investment of nearly $1 million will stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession,” said Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna – Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Here in Kelowna, this achievement gives hope to seniors and people with disabilities who need quality affordable housing that meets their needs, while creating local jobs.”
“Through the Seniors’ Rental Housing initiative, our government is committed to creating more affordable housing options for seniors and persons with disabilities,” said Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna – Lake Country. “Modular construction is an innovative way to produce this much needed housing. I am very pleased that Chaparral Industries was awarded the contract to build 44 modular units here in Kelowna.”
Through an amendment to the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments are contributing a combined total of $15.5 million for the construction of the 322 modular housing units. As part of the Seniors’ Rental Housing (SRH) initiative, these modular units will be shipped to selected rural communities across the Province to provide affordable housing for independent seniors and persons with disabilities.
Chaparral Industries will be constructing 44 modular housing units costing approximately $1.9 million. Chaparral Industries, a family-owned business operated by brothers Jim and John Pushor, specializes in residential, commercial and recreational modular buildings. Chaparral Industries has been a leading manufacturer of modular buildings in Kelowna for over 25 years and has earned a solid reputation in the construction industry by the consistently high quality of its products.
“Our persistent search for new materials, technologies and manufacturing techniques, reflects our commitment to give our customers the best possible product,” said John Pushor, Chaparral Industries. “We are pleased and excited to partner with the federal and provincial governments to construct these much needed affordable housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities.”
In addition to Chaparral Industries, the three other successful proponents, selected by BC Housing through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in August 2009 were Britco Structures Inc., Northern Trailer, and Freeport Industries Ltd. These companies will construct single-storey modular units utilizing B.C. forest products and designed to incorporate energy-efficient features.
The SRH initiative is a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia. This initiative will provide $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop up to 1,000 new affordable rental housing units, which will help to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments will provide matching contributions of $61.79 million.
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. It 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. 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 Province of British Columbia’s $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, helping to build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province and stimulating local economies across B.C.
The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $450,000 as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation community.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and the Honourable Fabian Manning, Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.
“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is delivering support for improvements in housing conditions for members who live in First Nation communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and we are also stimulating the local economy by creating jobs,” said Minister MacKay.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.
“The need for suitable and affordable housing for First Nation people is well recognized,” said Senator Manning. “One key part of the solution is social housing, such as the projects we are supporting in Sheshatshiu.”
The application calls for the new funding initiatives under Canada’s Economic Action Plan were very successful and generated a large number of applications. As a result, CMHC will be fully allocating all the available funding for this fiscal year.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $594,711 in CMHC investments will be made available to First Nations in Newfoundland and Labrador to address immediate housing needs.
In addition to INAC’s investment of $75,000 for renovations, CMHC will allocate $124,711 to retrofit five social housing units in Sheshatshiu as well as $330,000 for subsidy associated with two new housing units to be constructed in this First Nation community.
“The allocation announced today under Canada’s Economic Action Plan allows us to help several families to improve their housing situation. As we encourage the use of local supplies and labour, the benefits of this funding will be shared with many other families in the community and region. I want to thank CMHC as without this stimulus from the Action Plan, we would be unable to help these deserving families,” said Chief Anastasia Qupee from Sheshatshiu.
