Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon open seniors housing project
in Haines Junction

WHITEHORSE, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - The Honourable Daniel Lang , Senator (Yukon), 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) along with the Honourable Jim Kenyon , Minister Responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation officially opened a new housing project for seniors in Haines Junction today.

The Government of Canada and Yukon Government contributed almost $2.3 million to the project through the Canada-Yukon Affordable Housing Initiative for six affordable housing units.

"The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Yukon and across Canada for those who need it most," said the Honourable Daniel Lang , Senator (Yukon), 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). "Through this investment, the Government of Canada is helping to provide safe and supportive housing for seniors and helping them to turn a new page in their lives."

"The Government of Canada has helped create new housing opportunities for Yukon seniors," said the Honourable Jim Kenyon , Minister Responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation. "The Haines Junction project highlights the benefits of cooperation between governments."

Yukon Housing Corporation worked directly with seniors in Haines Junction on the building concepts and potential locations within the community. The housing complex contains a total of nine 1-bedroom units designed specifically for seniors, in addition to common space.

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

To find out more about housing support for Canadians and communities through CMHC, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For further information: Media Contact: Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Emily Younker, Cabinet Communications Advisor, Government of Yukon, [phone], [email protected]; Nathalie Ouellet, Yukon Housing Corporation Communications, [phone], [email protected]; Arthur McComish, Communications Consultant, Prairie and Territories Business Centre, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]