Provice of Manitoba Media Release | GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND MANITOBA PROVIDE FUNDING
FOR RENOVATIONS TO MANITOBA HOUSING PROPERTIES

The Governments of Canada and Manitoba today announced almost $19 million in joint funding for renovations to social housing throughout Manitoba. The 7,623 renovated units will enhance housing quality and accessibility for low-income residents in 42 communities across the province.

The funding for the 7,623 housing units will be used for the replacement of exterior components such as roofing, siding, windows and doors, and interior components such as flooring, drywall, doors, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers. The investment will significantly extend the life of these structures. Some of the units in today’s announcement also received federal/provincial funding allocated for the renovation of social housing in 2009-2010.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development and Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“This federal-provincial partnership to renovate existing affordable housing will provide jobs, a better quality of life for many Manitobans and a stronger provincial economy,” said Minister Irvin-Ross. “This work is part of a long-term comprehensive renovation and retrofit program which includes significant funding to help ensure we have affordable social housing that lasts well into the future.”

“Our government is committed to investing in communities and helping Canadians who need a hand-up,” said Parliamentary Secretary Glover. “Extensive renovations to projects throughout Manitoba mean that these buildings can continue to provide affordable housing to our residents for years to come.”

In addition to the new renovation projects announced today, the Governments of Canada and Manitoba also celebrated the completion of the Gilbert Park, Lord Selkirk Park and Central Park projects. Benefiting from almost $12 million in joint funding, the three communities have benefitted from 710 renovated units for individuals and families with low incomes.

The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to an overall investment of $176 million for the creation of affordable housing under the amended Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Program Agreement. Federal funding for the units in this announcement was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Provincial funding for these units was provided by Manitoba Housing through HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba’s long-term housing strategy and investment plan.

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. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Through Manitoba Housing’s Long-Term Housing Strategy, HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba, with the financial assistance of the Government of Canada, is contributing $378 million over two years for housing initiatives in Winnipeg and across the Province. HOMEWorks! supports ALL Aboard, Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction strategy by increasing the supply of quality, affordable housing for low-income Manitobans. In 2009, the province committed to creating 1,500 new affordable housing units by 2014. As of March 31, 2011, the province had committed funding for 707 new affordable housing units. More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

Manitoba Housing supports and revitalizes neighbourhoods across the province by providing a variety of quality, affordable, accessible housing options for Manitobans of all ages and incomes. This year alone, the province is investing $144 million on housing and housing related capital projects, This investment provides immediate jobs, community development and an increase to the provincial Gross Domestic Product through directed and induced effects that result in an additional $132 million boost to the provincial economy in economic spin offs and the creation of over 2600 person years of employment. By working together with other levels of government, Manitoba Housing is building communities across the province.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. As a result of the Action Plan, more than 14,000 social housing and First Nations housing projects are completed or underway across the country. These projects are helping families and individuals, including seniors and persons with disabilities, find suitable and affordable housing while putting Canadians back to work.

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 the full list of Renovation Funding Projects click here..