Governments of Canada and Yukon celebrate new youth housing in Whitehorse

WHITEHORSE, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - Senator Daniel Lang (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 Yukon Housing Corporation and the Honourable Glenn Hart , Yukon Minister of Health and Social Services, launched the construction phase of Whitehorse Children's Receiving Home today.

The $799,000 federal contribution to the project comes through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Recognizing the distinctive needs of the North, Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $200 million , over two years, including $50 million for Yukon to support the renovation and the construction of new social housing units. 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 Government of Canada is committed to providing a hand up to those who need it the most," said Senator Lang . "We are helping make an important difference in the lives of children and youth in Whitehorse who are trying to build a better future for themselves."

"Yukon Housing Corporation is dedicated to providing housing for Yukoners," said Jim Kenyon . "This boost in funding towards the Children's Receiving Home will help ensure a safe place for youth who need it."

The Children's Receiving Home is a temporary home for children and youth who have been removed from their families because of abuse or neglect, and who need a period of assessment and stabilization. The funding announced today will go toward the construction of the eight units in this new facility. The new facility will be 4,200 square feet in size and built to the Yukon's Super GreenHome standard for maximum energy efficiency.

"Yukon government is very excited about the construction of the new children's receiving home," said Minister Hart. "The old facility was no longer adequate for current programming needs and we are looking forward to a new safe and healthy environment for the young people who will live there."

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.

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