Social housing in southwestern New Brunswick being renovated

SAINT JOHN, NB, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick today announced that 450 social housing units in southwestern New Brunswick will receive $3.5 million for repairs and renovations.

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 $75M 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 under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

Repairs include exterior retrofits, electrical, plumbing, heating, fire safety and energy improvements.

Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick Social Development Minister and Minister Responsible for Housing, made the announcement today.

"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 MP Weston. "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."

"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 southwestern New Brunswick," 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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    Brunswick Tower                                              $356,273.60
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    Crown Street                                                 $155,087.04
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    Jenny's Springs Housing Cooperative                          $128,000.00
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    Market Square                                              $1,120,433.68
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    Province of New Brunswick
     (Dept of Social Development - Saint John)                    $5, 776.00
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    Province of New Brunswick
     (Dept of Social Development - Hampton)                      $257,047.77
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    Province of New Brunswick
     (Dept of Social Development - Saint John)                   $209,900.00
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    Rural and Native Housing - Kingston                            $5,900.00
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    Rural and Native Housing - Lakeside                            $6,350.00
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    Rural and Native Housing - Mayfield                            $4,970.00
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    Rural and Native Housing - Rothesay                           $11,050.00
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    Rural and Native Housing - Smith's Creek                       $4,000.00
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    Rural and Native Housing - St. Martin's North                  $4,900.00
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    Rural and Native Housing - Tower Hill                          $5,252.00
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    Rural and Native Housing - Willow Grove                        $4,000.00
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    Rotary Isle Estates                                          $248,400.00
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    Stevenson Tower                                              $719,668.65
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    Wright Street Housing Cooperative Ltd.                       $240,000.00
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For further information: Media: Patricia Montreuil, CMHC Atlantic, [phone]; Nichole Bowman, New Brunswick Department of Social Development, [phone]; Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]