Canada's Economic Action Plan helps to renovate and retrofit social housing,
creates jobs in Quebec

SAGUENAY, QC, Jan. 29 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada announced today that four housing co-operatives will receive $751,232 , as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan.

The announcement was made in Saguenay by the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley , Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion , $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects that they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing that it directly administers. Repairs that are eligible for funding include general improvements, energy-efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth," said the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn. "Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like these ones, will not only improve the quality of life of the residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable but also help stimulate the economy and create jobs."

On February 1, 2010 , CMHC will begin accepting applications from eligible project sponsors for the remaining $75 million funding for year two. Sponsor groups can apply online or through the mail. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy-efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

The housing co-operatives that will receive contributions from the Government of Canada being announced today are:

    
    Coopérative d'habitation Place des Lilas, $401,310
    Coopérative d'habitation, Adélard-Plourde, $12,642
    Coopérative d'habitation Lanjevine, $59,800
    Coopérative d'habitation Habitat 2000, $277,480
    

"The financial contributions provided under the federal renovation and retrofit initiative administered by CMHC will benefit the residents of Place des Lilas," said Louis Boily, Chair of the Board of Directors, Place des Lilas. "In fact, these funds will serve to renovate the windows and retrofit the heating system to ensure the quality of life of our families. We are very pleased to have received this funding, which will help improve the comfort and safety of our residents."

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.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Media inquiries: Michelle Bakos, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]; Marie-Chantale Lortie, CMHC, Media Relations, Quebec, [phone]; Charles Sauriol, CMHC Media Relations, [phone]