Posted: November 12, 2009 at 9:27 am | Tags: Action, canada, Children, CMHC, construction, Corporation, Diane Finley, Economic, economy, facility, government, home, Honourable, Housing Market, Jim Kenyon, Minister Hart, Minister Responsible, Plan, Receiving, Senator Daniel Lang, Senator Lang, today, WHITEHORSE, youth, Yukon
WHITEHORSE, YUKON, November 10, 2009 — Senator Daniel Lang (Yukon), 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), along with the Honourable Jim Kenyon, Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation and the Honourable Glenn Hart, Yukon Minister of Health and Social Services, launched the construction phase of Whitehorse Children’s Receiving Home today.
The $799,000 federal contribution to the project comes through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Recognizing the distinctive needs of the North, Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $200 million, over two years, including $50 million for Yukon to support the renovation and the construction of new social housing units. 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 Government of Canada is committed to providing a hand up to those who need it the most,” said Senator Lang. “We are helping make an important difference in the lives of children and youth in Whitehorse who are trying to build a better future for themselves.”
“Yukon Housing Corporation is dedicated to providing housing for Yukoners,” said Jim Kenyon. “This boost in funding towards the Children’s Receiving Home will help ensure a safe place for youth who need it.”
The Children’s Receiving Home is a temporary home for children and youth who have been removed from their families because of abuse or neglect, and who need a period of assessment and stabilization. The funding announced today will go toward the construction of the eight units in this new facility. The new facility will be 4,200 square feet in size and built to the Yukon’s Super GreenHome standard for maximum energy efficiency.
“Yukon government is very excited about the construction of the new children’s receiving home,” said Minister Hart. “The old facility was no longer adequate for current programming needs and we are looking forward to a new safe and healthy environment for the young people who will live there.”
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.
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: October 26, 2009 at 12:20 pm | Tags: Affordable, Alexander, canada, City, community, construction, Diane Finley, Ed Komarnicki, government, Harvey Rosen, Housing Market, income, investment, Islands, Kingston, Mayor Harvey Rosen, Minister Responsible, Mr. Paul Martin, Ontario, Parliamentary, project
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.
Posted: September 21, 2009 at 11:28 am | Tags: British Columbia, canada, construction, Development, Diane Finley, Funding, Garfield, government, Hotel, Housing Market, Minister Responsible, Mortgage, New Westminster, Rich Coleman
Posted by Moishe Alexander
People struggling with homelessness will have access to 11 transitional housing units and 13 affordable apartments once construction is complete on the new $8.7-million Garfield Hotel in New Westminster.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in British Columbia and across Canada for those who need it the most,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).” These new units in New Westminster will provide people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with access to suitable, affordable housing that meets their specific needs.”
The Province is providing a subsidized mortgage of $7 million for the development. The funding will help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, gain greater self-reliance, and achieve appropriate employment.
Construction began in July 2009 as part of a partnership between the federal and provincial governments and Lookout Emergency Aid Society. The Government of Canada provided a $1.65-million grant through the Affordable Housing Agreement.
“Our government is working with Lookout Emergency Aid Society to provide housing and support services so men and women can break away from substance abuse and homelessness,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development. “Garfield Hotel will help people recover and become independent by providing a supportive and stable environment.”
Lookout Emergency Aid Society will manage and operate the Garfield Hotel. Residents will receive life skill training programs on cooking and nutrition, budgeting, and basic hygiene, gaining the necessary skills to move towards living independently.
“We are very grateful for the federal and provincial funding that has been committed to this project so that we can provide the housing, support and services that are necessary to end homelessness,” said Karen O’Shannacery, executive director of Lookout Emergency Aid Society. “The Garfield Hotel will be a pathway to greater independence and a better life for many.”
Last fall, 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.
Increasing affordable housing and reducing homelessness is a key agenda for the Province of British Columbia. In 2009 – 10, the Province’s budget for affordable housing and shelters is $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001.