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.
MARYSTOWN, NL, September 14, 2009 — Seniors in the Burin Peninsula now have access to a new affordable housing complex built by the Marystown Kinsmen, as a result of $600,000 in federal and provincial funding under the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program, which is equally cost-shared.
The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Member of the House of Assembly for Burin – Placentia West, on behalf of the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing, presided over the opening ceremony today.
“We are dedicated to helping vulnerable Canadians access suitable, affordable housing,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, 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). “Our Government will continue to invest in improvements to existing social housing both in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada, as a means to stimulate our economy during the global recession.”
“The construction of this housing complex provides seniors in the Burin area the opportunity to receive housing assistance that meets their current needs, and still remain close to family and friends,” said Minister Jackman. “The Provincial Government recently released a new long-term vision for social housing, entitled A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador — Secure Foundations. The Marystown Kinsmen Manor for Seniors is an excellent example of strengthened partnerships in action, and how such partnerships can help attain our goal of providing more viable and affordable housing options for lower-income households throughout the province.”
The Marystown Kinsmen Manor for Seniors consists of two, one-bedroom units and four, two-bedroom units, one of which is fully accessible. In addition to the funding provided under the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program, CMHC also provided $20,000 in seed funding to Marystown Kinsmen during the initial planning stages.
“We are extremely proud of this project,” said Russ Murphy, Secretary of the Board for the Manor. “It’s a very rewarding feeling to be part of a project that you know will help to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”
In Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation, the Provincial Government committed $23.6 million for housing investments throughout the province for items such as social housing renovations, energy retrofits, and social housing units for low-income seniors. Additionally, the Federal and Provincial Governments recently announced a joint investment of $93 million to build new and renovate existing affordable housing over the next two years. Overall, the provincial contribution is $50 million, and the federal government is contributing a further $43 million.
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.
CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes and making vibrant and sustainable communities and cities a reality across the country.
