Archived News Releases

News Release - Canada and Manitoba

March 18, 2011

Governments of Canada and Manitoba Provide Funding for Renovations to Manitoba Housing Properties



Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Governments of Canada and Manitoba today announced almost $24.5 million in joint funding for renovations to social housing throughout Manitoba. The 3,997 renovated units will enhance housing quality and accessibility for low-income residents in 17 communities across the province.

The funding for the 3,997 housing units will be used for the replacement of exterior components such as roofing, siding, windows and doors, and interior components such as flooring, drywall, doors, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers. The investment will significantly extend the life of these structures. Some of the units in today’s announcement also received federal/provincial funding allocated for the renovation of social housing in 2009-2010.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development.

“Our government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most,” said Minister Fletcher. “By improving the quality of housing for Canadians, these projects put construction workers and trades people to work quickly and contribute to the economic and social well-being of the wider community.”

“This announcement demonstrates the province’s commitment to sustain and improve existing social and affordable housing through regular renovation and improvements, so we provide viable housing options for future generations,” said Minister Irvin-Ross. “Not only are we investing in an important asset, we are supporting community and economic development while continuing to stimulate the Manitoba economy. We are extremely happy to continue improving provincial housing throughout the province because having a home is a key component to improving lives, building personal prosperity and improving communities.” 

The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to an overall investment of $176 million for the creation of affordable housing under the amended Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Program Agreement. Federal funding for the units in this announcement was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Provincial funding for these units was provided by Manitoba Housing through HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba’s long-term housing strategy and investment plan.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Through Manitoba Housing’s Long-Term Housing Strategy, HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba, with the financial assistance of the Government of Canada, is contributing $378 million over two years for housing initiatives in Winnipeg and across the Province. HOMEWorks! Supports ALLAboard, Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction strategy by increasing the supply of quality, affordable housing for low-income Manitobans. As part of Manitoba Housing’s HOMEWorks! Investment plan, 600 new affordable household units will be built over two years, and a total of 1500 new households will be built in five years. More information about HOMEWorks! Is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

Manitoba Housing supports and revitalizes neighbourhoods across the province by providing a variety of quality, affordable, accessible housing options for Manitobans of all ages and incomes. This year alone, the province is investing $144 million on housing and housing related capital projects, This investment provides immediate jobs, community development and an increase to the provincial Gross Domestic Product through directed and induced effects that result in an additional $132 million boost to the provincial economy in economic spin offs and the creation of over 2600 person years of employment.   By working together with other levels of government, Manitoba Housing is building communities across the province.

Canada’s Economic Action Planbuilds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. As reported in Canada’s Economic Action Plan: A Seventh Report to Canadians, more than 12,000 housing projects are completed or underway across the country, helping families and individuals, including seniors and persons with disabilities, find suitable and affordable housing while putting Canadians back to work.

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.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED




Backgrounder
CEAP Funding Recipients - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2011/Reno_RetroBkg.HC.doc