March 31, 2014
Province, City of Brandon Take Next Steps in Strategy to Create More Safe, Affordable Housing
– – –Manitoba Achieves Milestone with Completion of 1,500 Affordable, 1,500 Social Housing Units since 2009: Premier Selinger
BRANDON—The Manitoba government and the City of Brandon have forged a partnership to create more affordable housing and will seek community groups to help develop five new sites, Premier Greg Selinger and Brandon Coun. Jan Chaboyer said here today.
“Safe, affordable housing is the most important need for all families and, by working together, we can create options that best suit Brandon’s priorities,” Premier Selinger said. “As we launch this new partnership we are also celebrating the completion of our 2009 commitment to build 1,500 new affordable housing units and 1,500 new social housing units. Furthermore, this new partnership is the first step toward our Budget 2014 promise to build another 500 affordable and 500 social housing units in the next three years.”
“Providing opportunities which allow for the provision of safe, affordable housing in Brandon is such an important piece of our Roadmap For Growth Strategic Plan,” said Coun. Chaboyer on behalf of the City of Brandon. “The implementation of an Affordable Housing First Land Policy allowed us to designate city-owned property for the development of affordable housing and, now, this partnership with the Province of Manitoba will bring together the two critical elements required for successful affordable housing projects.”
“The Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation is extremely pleased and excited about this partnership that will provide critical affordable housing in Brandon,” said Marty Snelling, general manager of the corporation. “Brandon families, single -parent families and seniors will benefit long term through this partnership. This is welcome news with rising housing costs for home ownership, rental situations and the seniors housing crunch.”
The new partnership will see the City of Brandon contribute property at no cost while Manitoba Housing and Community Development will provide funding toward these affordable housing projects, Premier Selinger said. The city and province will jointly engage community groups to develop these projects through upcoming requests for proposals.
Some locations will be designated for single-family homes and others will be multi-unit buildings. The new housing will be for low- to moderate-income renters and homeowners, especially families, seniors and vulnerable populations who require additional supports to maintain their housing.
The housing strategy complements Budget 2014, a plan to create good jobs, grow the economy and protect front-line services for families by focusing on what matters most to Manitoba families by investing in their priorities such as jobs, infrastructure, health and education, said the premier.
“The continued growth of communities depends on building healthier, more vibrant neighbourhoods for Manitoba families,” he added. “Our government is committed to creating jobs, developing affordable housing, building vital infrastructure and improving the quality of life for all Manitobans.”
More information on Manitoba’s investments in the future is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/housing/.
- 30 -
The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba and the City of Brandon.