Affordable housing being built and renovated in the Fredericton region

FREDERICTON, Feb. 15 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick today announced an investment of more than $ 4 million for the construction and renovation of 252 housing units for low-income seniors, families and persons with disabilities. Funding in the amount of $2.59 million will be for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing, while $1.6 million will be for the construction of new affordable housing 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. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $75 million under the amended Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $850 million for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing as well as $475 million to build new rental housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities over two years.

Eight housing projects will receive funding for repairs and renovations. The projects are located in Fredericton, Woodstock, Summerfield and Beechwood. Repairs to the 212 social housing units include electrical, plumbing, fire safety, energy improvements and site works.

A new housing development, Tannery Court II, will also create 40 units for low-income seniors including 4 accessible units for those with disabilities. This project is located at 543 Brookside Drive in Fredericton and is being developed by Tannery Court Co-operative Ltd., a non-profit organization. In addition to federal stimulus funding, the project is receiving more than $2.6 million in rent supplements from the Province of New Brunswick.

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, 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); and the Honourable Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Housing, made the announcement today.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is helping Canadians during these tough economic times. Here in Greater Fredericton, this achievement gives a hand-up to low-income seniors, families and individuals who need safe, affordable housing that meets their needs," said Minister Ashfield. "This is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly."

"We are pleased to work together to provide affordable and safe accommodations for low-income seniors, families and to those who have accessibility needs in the Fredericton region," Lamrock said. "Affordable housing is a key component of this government's Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan to ensure New Brunswickers have a quality, energy efficient place to call home."

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next 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.

Backgrounder attached.

    

                                 BACKGROUNDER

    The housing projects that will receive contributions are:

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    Project Name                                              Total funding
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    Doone Street                                               $1,312,694.30
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    Eastwood Housing Co-operative Ltd.                            $25,000.00
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    Evelyn Grove                                                 $657,185.18
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    Perry Court                                                   $50,093.28
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    Province of New Brunswick (Dept of Social Development)
     - Woodstock                                                 $492,038.22
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    Province of New Brunswick (Dept of Social Development)
     - Beechwood                                                  $23,820.00
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    RNH - Summerfield                                             $12,000.00
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    RNH - Woodstock                                               $17,500.00
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    Tannery Court II (PWD)                                       $160,000.00
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    Tannery Court II (Seniors)                                 $1,440,000.00
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For further information: Media Contact: Nichole Bowman, Department of Social Development (N.B.), [phone]; Patricia Montreuil, CMHC Atlantic, [phone]; Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]