June 27, 2013
Provincial Funding for Habitat for Humanity Makes Affordable Home Ownership a Reality for Manitoba Families: Irvin-Ross
More families will soon have a home to call their own, thanks to provincial funding of more than $800,000 for Habitat for Humanity projects, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.
“Habitat for Humanity is a special organization that makes families’ dreams of having their own home come true,” said Irvin-Ross. “Our government is committed to affordable housing investments and we are proud to support Habitat for Humanity in its efforts to provide home ownership opportunities for select families throughout Manitoba.”
“We are thrilled and thankful to have been the recipient of provincial funding,” said John Ruban, chair, Habitat for Humanity. “Our organization can take this opportunity to build more homes for deserving families and provide them the benefits of home ownership.
Habitat for Humanity will receive $800,000 for the construction of 16 affordable housing units in Winnipeg. The homes will be sold to low- to moderate-income families. The homes will be located at:
- Fernbank Avenue and Main Street in the Riverbend neighbourhood (10 units);
- McCalmen Avenue (two units);
- Langside Street;
- Ashburn Street;
- Union Avenue; and
- Riverton Avenue
Through volunteer labour, cash and material donations, Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates safe and affordable houses, which are then sold to families at no profit and financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages.
To date, Manitoba Housing’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity has resulted in the development of 116 new affordable housing units with a total provincial contribution of approximately $5.5 million. The total includes 100 units within Winnipeg and 16 in rural communities.
Over the next three years, the Manitoba government will invest $100 million annually to restore and redevelop housing units in its portfolio, said Irvin-Ross, adding an additional $34 million will be dedicated annually to repair existing stock and provide quality home environments for tenants.
The minister added, Manitoba will also build 500 more social housing units and 500 more affordable rental units over the next three years in addition to the 1,500 social-housing and 1,500 affordable‑housing units that are on schedule for 2014.
These investments, to build more affordable housing, are in addition to increased benefits for employment income assistance recipients and other low-income Manitobans announced in Budget 2013 through an annual increase of $6.3 million in RentAid shelter benefits.
Better housing is a part of the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan, which will also help build the province’s critical infrastructure priorities including flood protection, roads, schools and health centres, the minister said.
Information about Manitoba’s three-year plan is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing/three_yr__plan.
- 30 -