Posted: April 7, 2010 at 8:20 am | Tags: Action, Alexander, announcement, Applegate, behalf, Brantford, canada, CMHC, Co-operative, Diane Finley, Economic, Funding, government, Hamilton, Housing Market, Ken Elliott, Life, Maureen Zotzman, Minister Responsible, MP McColeman, Ontario, Phil McColeman, Plan, quality, Renovation, today
Posted by Moishe Alexander
The Government of Canada announced today that three co-operatives located in Brantford and Hamilton will receive more than $270,000 through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.
The announcement was made at Applegate Co-operative Housing in Brantford by Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said MP McColeman. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like this one, will not only improve the quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable, but it will also help stimulate the local economy and create local jobs.”
The Government of Canada, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.
The housing co-operatives that will receive contributions from the Government of Canada being announced today are:
Applegate Co-operative Housing (Brantford) $74,886
Wicklow Co-operative Homes (Brantford) $97,069
Appleridge Co-operative Homes Inc. (Hamilton) $99,144
“We applaud and thank the federal government, MP McColeman and CMHC for making a solid investment to help renovate and retrofit these affordable homes,” said Ken Elliott, President of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. “Today’s announcement for those three non-profit housing co-operatives is an excellent example of stimulus funding that works towards preserving jobs, assisting the local economy and protecting valuable affordable housing assets for Canadians.”
“We are very pleased to be receiving the Renovation and Retrofit grant through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve our cooperative,” said Maureen Zotzman, President, Applegate Co-operative Homes Incorporated. “These significant renovations will have a tremendous positive impact for our members and their quality of life.”
Posted: March 18, 2010 at 9:42 am | Tags: Action, Atikamekw, behalf, Bernard Généreux, canada, Chief Ottawa, CMHC, Conseil, Diane Finley, Economic, economy, Eva Ottawa, Funding, government, Grand, Housing Market, investment, Manawan, Minister Responsible, MP Généreux, Nation, ottawa, Paul Émile, Plan, Quebec, today
The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $2.2 million as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for the Atikamekw and Mi’kmaq First Nation communities.
Bernard Généreux, Member of Parliament for Montmagny – L’Islet – Kamouraska – Rivière-du-Loup, 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, along with Paul Émile Ottawa, Chief of the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan, on behalf of Eva Ottawa, Grand Chief of the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw.
“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Quebec,” said MP Généreux.
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. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $45 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Quebec to address immediate housing needs.
CMHC is allocating more than $1.6 million to Opitciwan and Manawan for the construction of three new social housing units and to retrofit 53 existing social housing units. Listuguj and Gesgapegiag are receiving $664,500 for the construction of two new social housing units and to retrofit 41 existing social housing units. This funding will go along way to help improve housing conditions in these First Nation communities.
“Responding to the housing needs of our people remains our top priority. What has been accomplished in the Atikamekw communities thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan is very commendable and greatly appreciated,” said Grand Chief Ottawa.
More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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.
Posted: March 11, 2010 at 9:07 am | Tags: 130 Anson Street, Affordable, behalf, Bonnie Clark, Dean Del Mastro, Deputy Mayor, Diane Finley, Henry Clarke, Honourable, Housing Market, Jeff Leal, Jim Bradley, Mayor Paul Ayotte, Member, Minister Responsible, MP Del Mastro, Parliament, Paul Ayotte, Peterborough
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Peterborough today celebrated the official opening of an affordable housing project. The project is supported by more than $2 million in funding under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Jeff Leal, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Henry Clarke, Deputy Mayor of Peterborough on behalf of Paul Ayotte, Mayor of Peterborough; and Bonnie Clark, Chair of Peterborough Housing Corporation made the announcement.
“This is great news for families and individuals in Peterborough. Our Government is providing a hand-up to those families in need,” said MP Del Mastro. “Through projects like these, our government is stimulating the economy and creating jobs to help Canadians recover from the economic downturn.”
“The province is committed to helping people who live on lower or fixed incomes stay in their home communities,” said MPP Leal. “Investment in affordable housing is not only a fundamental support for individuals and families trying to break the cycle of poverty, it also improves job prospects and supports local trades and business.”
Today’s announcement recognized the official opening of 30 affordable housing units at Saunders Court, located at 130 Anson Street. The project for households with low incomes and persons with special needs is sponsored by the Peterborough Housing Corporation.
The federal and provincial allocations to the project were complemented by $355,459 in municipal financial incentives.
“Saunders Court is an exciting new development that will provide 30 new affordable housing units in the City of Peterborough,” said Mayor Paul Ayotte. “Peterborough Housing Corporation is to be congratulated for their continued efforts to create housing opportunities for low-income households in Peterborough.”
“We believe this building is our best effort yet”, said Bonnie Clark, Chair of Peterborough Housing Corporation. “This site has been part of a continuum of service to the community for nearly a century, as both a refuge and home for those in need.”
The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.
In 2008, 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. Combined for Ontario, this means a further $1.2 billion joint investment under the amended Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.
