The Government of Canada announced today an investment of close to $1.8 million, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, to improve housing conditions for the Penticton and Snuneymuxw First Nations communities.
The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia – Pacific Gateway, 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 in Penticton.
“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is delivering support for improvements in housing conditions for members who live in First Nation communities in British Columbia and we are also stimulating the local economy by creating jobs,” said Minister Day.
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.
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 $50 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in British Columbia to address immediate housing needs.
CMHC will allocate more than $7 million to build 43 new housing units on-reserve in British Columbia. Of this funding, Penticton First Nation and Snuneymuxw First Nation will receive close to $1.8 million to build 12 new housing units.
“We are pleased to welcome this new housing construction that has come to us at a time when both the Penticton leadership and community members have identified our housing needs as a priority,” said Jonathan Kruger, Chief of the Penticton First Nation. “This ensures the health and safety of our Elders, children and membership through sustainable homes and is of utmost importance to the Band.”
“These new homes are a step toward addressing our longstanding housing needs and help us build our community’s equity. We have been able to provide seven new homes as well as an opportunity for some of our community members to work in construction,” said Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Chief Douglas White III. “This project represents a major life change for seven families — they will have a home to call their own! It has been a huge opportunity for our Nation and our members welcome these important new homes.”
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of St.Thomas celebrated the start of construction of 12 affordable rental units in two housing developments. The developments are supported by over $924,000 in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin – Middlesex – London, 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 Steve Peters, Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin – Middlesex – London on behalf of the Government of Ontario; along with Cliff Barwick, Mayor of St.Thomas, made the announcement.
“This is great news for families in St.Thomas,” said MP Preston. “These new apartments will provide suitable, affordable housing for deserving families, and create jobs in our community.”
“New housing initiatives add significant support to the provincial government’s efforts to reduce poverty,” said MPP Peters. “The Government of Ontario will continue to work with its federal and municipal partners to ensure new affordable housing units are built during the life of this program.”
Today’s announcement recognized two affordable housing projects funded through the two-year extension of the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program:
Funding of $480,000 for a six-unit affordable housing project for low-income households at 89 ½ Fairview Avenue.
Funding of $444,000 for a six-unit affordable housing project for low-income households at 5 Park Avenue.
“The City of St. Thomas is very grateful to the federal and provincial governments for providing financial assistance under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program,” said Mayor Cliff Barwick. “This new apartment building will provide much-needed affordable housing for twelve families in the community.”
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.
Posted by Moishe Alexander
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Kingston today celebrated the official opening of two new affordable housing projects and the start of construction of another. The projects are supported by more than $7.5 million in funding under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program and will provide 164 affordable housing units.
Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and to the Minister of Labour; John Gerretsen, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kingston and The Islands and Minister of the Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Harvey Rosen, Mayor of the City of Kingston, attended the event.
“The Government of Canada is helping make affordable housing available in Kingston and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Parliamentary Secretary Ed Komarnicki. “These new apartments provide more rental options for individuals and families in need of suitable, affordable housing. This is critical to the economic and social well-being of our Kingston community.”
“Our government is committed to developing better ways to meet the housing needs of Ontario’s vulnerable,” said Minister Gerretsen. “The benefits of projects like these ripple beyond the people who live here — our entire community reaps the rewards of new, safe and sustainable housing.”
Today’s announcement recognized three affordable housing projects in Kingston funded under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program:
* The official opening of a 93-unit building sponsored by R. Paul Martin Construction. The project received more than $2 million from the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The building will be occupied by individuals and families living on low and moderate income.
* The official opening of 24 units sponsored by Kingston Home Base Non — Profit Housing Inc. The project received $1.7 million from the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program and will be occupied by individuals with special needs and living on low income.
* The start of construction of 47 units sponsored by Frontenac Community Mental Health Services. The project received more than $3.8 million from the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program. The building will be occupied by low income individuals with special needs.
The federal and provincial allocations to the projects were complemented by about $660,000 in municipal grants and 67 units will receive ongoing financial assistance through the municipally funded rent supplement program.
“The City of Kingston is pleased to continue to work with our Federal/Provincial partners in the creation of new, safe, secure and affordable housing units,” said Mayor Harvey Rosen. “On behalf of the City of Kingston, I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the staff and Board members of Home Base Housing, Frontenac Community Mental Health Services and Mr. Paul Martin, on the occasion of the official opening of their affordable housing communities. Through their efforts, 164 residents have been able to find a new and permanent place to call home.”
The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement, signed in 2005, 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.