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News Release - Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg

Winnipeg Gets New Housing with $2.3 Million Investment by Three Levels of Government



Winnipeg, November 22, 2010 -Winnipeg’s inner city will see 33 new houses built as a result of more than $2.3 million in funding support from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg.
 
The Honourable Vic Toews, Federal Minister of Public Safety on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development for Manitoba; and Councillor Mike Pagtakhan, on behalf of Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, today announced the funding support.
 
“The Government of Canada is proud to have contributed to these projects through the Affordable Housing Trust,” said Minister Toews.  “These units will improve the housing conditions for residents by providing access to safe, affordable housing that meets their needs.”
 
“Manitoba is committed to providing affordable homes for those people who need it the most,” said Minister Irvin-Ross.  “Funding these projects improves the quality of life of the people who will eventually live in them, creates strong, vibrant communities and also helps stimulate the local economy by creating jobs and supporting local businesses.”
 
“The City of Winnipeg is proud to be part of this collaborative effort to provide the financial support to vulnerable families who want to become homeowners,” said Councillor Pagtakhan. Projects like this helps to create strong and vibrant communities.”
 
The Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation, Housing Opportunity Partnership Inc. and the Spence Neighbourhood Association (SNA) will build the 33 single-family affordable homes in a number of areas in Winnipeg. They include the neighbourhoods of William Whyte, Centennial, North Point Douglas, Spence, Daniel McIntyre and St Matthews. The homes will be for sale to low- to moderate-income households.  First-time homebuyers are eligible to receive Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance (HDPA). 
 
This is the first year that two new home designs created by the Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation will be used for these infill homes.  The new home designs incorporate improvements recommended by several community housing partners, with new floor plans and exterior finishes. 
 
These three-bedroom homes average 1,100 square feet with a visitable main floor, and all will have R-2000 certification for energy efficiency, which reduces operating costs. All of the housing will be part of the New Home Warranty Program. 
 
Through Manitoba’s Long-Term Housing Strategy, HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada are contributing $378 million over two years for housing initiatives in Winnipeg and across the Province.  HOMEWorks! supports ALL Aboard, Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction strategy by increasing the supply of quality, affordable housing for low-income Manitobans.  More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.
 
The Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (WHRC) was founded by the City of Winnipeg in the late 1970s.  WHRC is a non-profit organization that develops and manages affordable housing in Winnipeg.  During the last three decades WHRC has developed over 700 housing units for Winnipeg residents.  WHRC's housing projects include renovated warehouses, apartment buildings, single family homes, duplexes and triplexes.  WHRC focus has been on the revitalization of Winnipeg's inner city neighbourhoods. For more information about WHRC and its programs, please visit www.whrc.ca or call 204-949-2880.
 
The Housing Opportunity Partnership (HOP) is a not-for-profit inner city housing revitalization initiative dedicated to reclaiming houses, streets and neighbourhoods by acquiring homes in need of repair, completely upgrading them and then selling them to new homeowners.
 
The SNA is a non-profit organization focused on neighbourhood renewal in the Spence neighbourhood of Winnipeg’s West end. This is the sixth project with the Spence Neighbourhood Association supported by Manitoba Housing for a total of 31 homes rehabilitated or constructed since 2001.
 
Since 2000, the WHHI partnership has committed over $138 million to repair, rehabilitate, or construct over 5,000 housing units as well as assist those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  The WHHI is a single-window office for community organizations to access information on government-funded housing and homelessness programs.  For more information, visit www.whhi.ca.
 
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