The Honourable Michael Duffy, Senator for Prince Edward Island, 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 the Honourable Janice Sherry, Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour today announced a total investment of approximately $313,000 toward the renovation of 24 housing units in Charlottetown and Montague to benefit low-income seniors, people with disabilities and families.
The renovation programs, including the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP), help preserve the quality of existing affordable housing occupied by low-income Canadians. The federal and provincial governments are contributing to an overall investment of $2.6 million, over two years, under the amended CMHC – PEI Housing Renovation Program Agreement, with the federal government contributing some $2 million and the provincial government contributing $650, 000.
"This Government is supporting Canadians with housing needs and is fulfilling its commitment to help those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Senator Duffy. "These projects will help ensure that vulnerable families in Charlottetown and in Montague, can access the housing and services they need."
“We're pleased to partner with the Federal Government on these significant initiatives for Montague and Charlottetown,” said Minister Janice Sherry. “Working together, we are able to provide investments to improve people's homes, such as Southern Kings Group Home in Montague and Gossen Rentals in Charlottetown. The projects announced here today will support the continued provision of affordable housing for persons with disabilities and for families, which is an important priority for my Department.”
Gossen Rentals received funding under the Rental Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (Rental RRAP), toward the renovation of 19 units in Charlottetown. The Government of Canada provided more than $175,000 through CMHC, and the Government of Prince Edward Island contributed more than $58,000 through the Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour.
In Montague, Southern Kings Group Home received some $60,000 from the federal government and close to $20,000 from the provincial government for renovations to five units under the RRAP Rooming Housing Program.
Renovation programs provide funding to low-income homeowners and landlords with low-income tenants for major repairs as well as accessibility modifications. In 2009, more than 100 households in PEI benefited from assistance under the renovation programs off-reserve.
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. As part of this investment, the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) and renovation programs for low-income households, including RRAP, were extended for two years. For PEI, this represents approximately $3 million in federal funding.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion to build new and renovate existing social housing for low-income Canadians, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
The Provincial Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour is committed to helping individuals, families and all members of One Island Community reach their full potential. To this end the Department operates housing units across the province for families and seniors who need help finding affordable, appropriate homes. The Family Housing Program provides quality rental housing units for families who may not otherwise be able to obtain adequate housing. It provides housing for Island families with low incomes, poor housing conditions or other special circumstances. The Seniors' Housing program supports housing units in 35 communities across the province. Islanders aged 60 and older are eligible for assistance. The Province partners with the Government of Canada to provide this assistance.
More information on 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.