May 25, 2012
Governments of Canada and Manitoba Celebrate New Affordable Housing Complex in Gimli
Gimli, Manitoba -The Governments of Canada and Manitoba will invest more than $5 million in Gimli to build a 28 unit apartment complex that will provide safe and affordable housing for families in the area.
Premier Greg Selinger and James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC),made the funding announcement today.
“Finding solutions to housing needs requires the support of government and the community,” said Premier Selinger. “When we all work together, we can find those solutions that will provide housing, strengthen neighbourhoods and provide a foundation for families.”
“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable and supportive housing available in Manitoba and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Bezan. “The Gimli West complex will provide low-income families with safe and suitable housing, which will enable them to build stronger futures for themselves here in Gimli.”
The Rural Municipality of Gimli will rezone, subdivide and contribute the serviced land, as well as provide a property tax grant in the amount of 80 percent of the general municipal taxes for the first 10 years of operation. The new building, to be located at the corner of Autumnwood Drive and Centennial Road in Gimli, will have three storeys and include eight one-bedroom, 16 two‑bedroom and four three-bedroom apartments. The initiative will focus on providing housing for families. Fourteen units will be supplied at rent geared to income.
The project will meet or exceed Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart standards and may also include a geothermal system, depending on results of a feasibility study. The estimated start date for construction is July 2012.
“This housing project was a need that was identified by the rural municipality as of high importance. Due to the lack of affordable rental accommodations, families relocate elsewhere which results in a direct impact on employers in the area,” said Joann King, Gimli’s Chief Administration Officer.“This project will help alleviate these difficulties for both families and employers and will have an economic impact in the community.”
The funding comes as a result of the recently announced $62 million Investment in Affordable Housing 2011–2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Manitoba. The Province of Manitoba will use the funds under the new agreement to build more affordable housing and upgrade existing housing to ensure low-income Manitobans can provide safe, stable homes for their families.
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Manitoba, this represents some 40,700 households.These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.
HOMEWorks! is Manitoba’s long-term housing strategy. Under this strategy, the province, through Manitoba Housing with the financial support of the Government of Canada, continues to make significant investments in social and affordable housing. The province has promised the delivery of 1,500 affordable housing units across the province and has already committed to the development of more than 1,000 homes. 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.
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-schl.gc.ca.
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