December 2, 2008
Province Announces Manitoba Housing Revitalization Funding Immediately Doubled To $48 Million
– – –Second Year of Building Foundations Strategy to Create Jobs, Green Manitoba Housing, Improve Tenants' Quality of Life: Mackintosh
With the doubling of its commitment to $48 million to rejuvenate Manitoba Housing in the second year of the Building Foundations strategy, the province will create jobs, improve energy efficiency, enhance accessibility and improve the lives of tenants, Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.
“We are committing to revitalizing affordable housing across the province,” Mackintosh said. “By renovating Manitoba Housing’s aging stock, we will boost the Manitoba economy and ensure our tenants have modern, comfortable homes.”
Among the renovations to be completed across the province under the Building Foundations strategy are 893 units in Brandon and Winnipeg, giving about 2,000 people totally modern, comfortable homes, the minister said. This includes rejuvenating 61 family townhouses in Brandon ($4.5 million), as well as complete refurbishment of Gilbert Park ($9 million), Selkirk Park ($15 million) and Central Park ($9 million) in Winnipeg.
In 2008-09, 92 renovation projects will get underway outside of Winnipeg while 63 will be completed in the capital city. For 2009-10, 106 renovation projects will be done outside Winnipeg while 40 will be done in the city.
For many of these homes, it will be the first time they have been upgraded. Work will include new flooring, cupboards, patching and painting. The renovations will also increase energy efficiency and reduce water consumption with Energy Star appliances, energy-efficient heating and lighting, insulation upgrades and low-flush toilets.
To bolster local jobs for residents, the building rejuvenations will involve community employment programs that help low-income families to move from welfare to work.
To ease the transition for tenants, the plan includes:
· a communication strategy will ensure tenants have regular updates about the renovations and moves,
· relocation costs will be covered by Manitoba Housing, and
· a tenant advocate will provide support and a resource for all tenants during the rejuvenation project.
This capital investment is part of the infrastructure stimulus announced in the provincial government’s economic statement and throne speech on Nov. 20. It is estimated that for every $1 million invested in renovations, 30 jobs are created and $1.5 million is added to the GDP.
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