July 18, 2010
Canada and Manitoba Provide Funding for 12 Seniors Housing Units in Pinawa
The Governments of Canada and Manitoba today celebrated the official opening of 12 newly-constructed affordable housing units for low-to moderate-income seniors in Pinawa. The project is supported by $925,000 in funding through the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative – New Rental Supply Program.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making communities stronger, which is why we’re proud to be investing in these new units in Pinawa,” said the Honourable Don Plett, Senator for Manitoba, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Our investments in housing help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing more access to safe, affordable homes for Canadian seniors.”
“The construction of the new units in the Town of Pinawa expands the supply of affordable supportive housing for low- to moderate-income seniors in the region,” said the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Manitoba Housing and Community Development Minister. “The Manitoba government is committed to meeting the housing needs of seniors who need it most.”
The project involved constructing a new 12-unit housing complex for low-income seniors that is attached to a larger 24-unit seniors complex. The new one-bedroom apartments, located at 40 Vanier Avenue, offer residents community living as well as access to personal support services, such as laundry and housekeeping.
In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. As part of this commitment the Affordable Housing Initiative was extended for two years. This results in a total $1.25 billion federal investment toward the creation of affordable housing since the inception of the AHI. 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, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
For Manitoba, this represents a joint investment of $112 million under the AHI and $158 million under CEAP toward affordable housing by both levels of government.
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. More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.
Today’s funding announcement builds on the work of the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative to support seniors in leading active, socially engaged, independent lives that contribute to healthy aging. The initiative’s goal is to make Manitoba the most age-friendly province in Canada by working with the communities and the federal government to enhance the programs and services that benefit the well being of all seniors.
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. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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