The Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island today announced that 131 housing units in the central and western regions of the island will receive close to $1 million for repairs, renovations and new construction.
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 $8.54 million under the amended Canada-Prince Edward Island 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, plus a further $400 million to build new rental housing for low-income seniors.
In addition to 19 new seniors units that will be created in North Rustico and Kensington, this injection of funding will provide over $600,000 to renovate and improve affordable family housing across central and western Prince Edward Island. Renovations include new siding, insulation, windows and doors.
The Honorable Gail Shea, Minister Responsible for Fisheries and Oceans, 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 and the Honourable Neil LeClair, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development and Member of the Legislative Assembly representing Tignish-Palmer Road, on behalf of the Honourable Janice Sherry, Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour 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 Minister Shea. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects like these ones is a great way to get the local economy moving, because it puts construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly. At the same time we’re improving the quality of life for residents of Prince Edward Island by keeping their homes safe and affordable.”
"We are pleased to partner with our federal counterparts on these significant housing initiatives from Tignish to Cornwall," said Minister Janice Sherry. "Working together, we are able to provide investments to improve people's homes, from seniors housing such as Villa Margarite in North Rustico to family housing in Tignish. In addition to new housing development, this funding will help renovate several existing social housing projects."
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.
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 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:
The housing projects that will receive contributions as a result of Canada’s Economic Action Plan are as follows:
Charlottetown Family 2, Cornwall, PE $63,666.67
Kensington Rural Community Housing, Kensington, PE $3,173.96
North Rustico Rural Community Housing, North Rustico, PE $17,131.96
Villa Margarite, Gallant’s Harbourview Enterprises, North Rustico, PE $215,000
Borden Rural Community Housing, Borden, PE $10,109.97
Alberton Family, Alberton, PE $$116,658.52
Elmsdale Rural Community Housing, Elmsdale, PE $10,720
Miscouche Rural Native Housing, Miscouche, PE $6,453.31
O’Leary Family Housing, O’Leary, PE $159,114.13
Richmond Rural Native Housing, Richmond, PE $2,599.41
Summerside Family Housing, Summerside, PE $91,541.79
Summerside M Seniors Housing, Summerside, PE $18,440
Summerside Rural Native Housing, Summerside, PE $2,599.41
Summerside Rural Community Housing, Summerside, PE $3,693.11
Tignish Family Housing, Tignish, PE $109,938.70
Tyne Valley Rural Community Housing, Tyne Valley, PE $2,599.41
Wellington Rural Community Housing, Wellington, PE $2,599.43
Kensington Project, HR Holdings, Ltd., Kensington, PE $160,000