October 29, 2010
Governments of Canada and Manitoba Celebrate 81 New Affordable Housing Units for Seniors in Grunthal, La Broquerie and Sprague
Grunthal, Manitoba – The Governments of Canada and Manitoba today announced $10.1 million in joint funding for new affordable housing projects. The combined 81 units will enhance housing quality and accessibility for seniors in three southern Manitoba communities. Celebrations took place at an official opening in Grunthal and at groundbreaking ceremonies in La Broquerie and Sprague.
The announcement was made by the Honourable Vic Toews, 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 (CMHC) and the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development.
“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is providing a hand-up to those who need it most, here in rural Manitoba and in all corners of the country,” said Minister Toews. “We are committed to making communities stronger through projects like these. These investments are providing more access to safe, affordable homes for Canadian seniors.”
“The Manitoba government is committed to meeting the housing needs of the people in our rural communities that need it the most,” said Irvin-Ross. “The investments announced today increase the housing options for seniors in and around the communities of Grunthal, La Broquerie and Sprague, ensuring they can stay close to friends and family.”
The Grunthal seniors’ project, which opened today, is managed by Menno Homes for the Aged. The building includes 12 supportive housing units and 30 one-bedroom assisted living units. The initiative received $2.7 million in joint funding from the federal and provincial governments.
Two other investments in the area were celebrated with official groundbreakings today. The La Broquerie seniors’ project, supported by $4 million in joint government funding and led by Le Chalet de La Broquerie, will include 24 one-bedroom units to be rented to low- to moderate-income seniors. Twelve one-bedroom units will be available on a Rent-Geared-to-Income basis.
The Sprague seniors’ project, led by East Borderland Community Housing, received $3.4 million from the Governments of Canada and Manitoba. Additional seed funding was provided by CMHC in the form of a $10,000 interest-free loan and a $10,000 grant to assist during the initial project planning stages. When completed, it will include nine one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units.
The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $158 million under the amended Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
Through Manitoba’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 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.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds 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.
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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