Social housing in Yellowknife renovated

YELLOWKNIFE, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - A major renovation and retrofit has been completed on one of the most important community buildings in Yellowknife. More than $495,000 was provided by the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories to complete an extensive energy retrofit on the Northern United Place (NUP).

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 territorial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $110 million under the amended Canada-Northwest Territories 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.

The renovation and energy retrofits undertaken on Northern United Place are expected to extend the life of a building that is essential to Northwest Territories residents. The project included the installation of a new boiler system, new siding, and window replacements.

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 Robert McLeod, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

"This renovation and retrofit project will improve the quality of life for residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable," said Minister Finley. "It is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly."

"Northern United Place is one of the most important buildings in Yellowknife. It is more than a housing facility. It is where northerners attend Aurora College to become nurses, teachers, business people and community leaders. It also serves as a gathering place for public events, community presentations, and church services. I am pleased that our investment in the building will extend the useful life of this important community facility," said the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

"Through the Affordable Housing Initiative and the matching contributions of the GNWT, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Government of Canada to improve the quality of housing throughout the Northwest Territories."

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]; Stephen R. Pretty, Manager, Strategic Planning, Policy and Communications, Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Tel: [phone]; Kimberlee Jones, Communications Consultant, Prairie and Territories Business Centre, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]