Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

October 19, 2010

Homeworks Strategy Working: Irvin-Ross

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Province Six Months Ahead of Schedule in Providing New Afforable Housing

The province is six months ahead of schedule in its two-year commitment to provide funding for 600 homes to people in need of affordable housing, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.
 
“Good quality housing has a positive impact on the health of people and communities and is key to reducing poverty,” said Irvin‑Ross. “I am pleased we are six months ahead of our target date of approvals of March 31, 2011.” 
 
As of Oct. 1, 600 affordable housing units were approved for development, almost half of which are social housing units with rents geared to a family’s income.  Construction is either completed or underway on half of those projects.
 
The new units will leverage more than $45 million in private-sector investments, create 860 jobs and over $46 million in economic spin offs, said Irvin-Ross.  
 
“I am pleased to be working with all of our partners including the federal government, which has made important housing investments in Manitoba,” she said.
 
The minister recognized the contribution of the Government of Canada, municipal governments, community groups, Aboriginal organizations, citizens and the private sector which have worked together to improve make these projects possible.
 
The 600-unit commitment over two years is part of a five-year strategy to add 1,500 affordable housing units and 1,500 social housing units throughout the province. As well, there is a plan to renovate 1,500 homes and make building improvements to more than 12,000 households. 
 
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.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED


 



Backgrounder
Recent Commitments - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2010/10/HousingUpdate.HCD.doc