Governments of Canada and Alberta Announce Funding for More Affordable Seniors Housing in Redwater

REDWATER, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - March 28, 2015) - New affordable housing options for seniors will be available in Redwater thanks to an investment of $3 million by the Governments of Canada and Alberta. This joint funding will contribute to the construction of 15 of the new 24-unit supportive living addition to the Diamond Spring Lodge. The new units will be attached to the existing 40-unit lodge, which is operated by Sturgeon Foundation.

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, and Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Spruce Grove, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with the Honourable Jeff Johnson, Minister responsible for Seniors and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• The Diamond Spring Lodge is located at 4619-52^nd Avenue in Redwater, Alberta.
  
  
• The Governments of Canada and Alberta are jointly contributing $3,000,000 under the Investment in Affordable Housing 2014-2019 Agreement. This agreement represents some $202 million over five years to help more individuals and families in housing need.
  
  
• Additional funding of some $840,000 will be provided by the Province of Alberta through the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative to contribute to the development of 9 units.
  
  
• The renewed site will offer three levels of housing options for seniors to age in place, from independent living to lodge living and supportive living with health care.
  
  
• The Diamond Spring Lodge is managed by Sturgeon Foundation, which is a provincially recognized leader in the provision of supportive living for seniors and others in need. The Foundation will provide $7.11 million to the project.
  
  

Quotes:

"Our Government understands that having a safe and affordable place to call home is important to Canadian families and their communities. Today, I am pleased to announce a new investment to support low-income seniors living in Redwater. This announcement demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together. I wish to congratulate and thank everyone involved with this project, including the Sturgeon Foundation and the Province of Alberta." - Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, Regional Minister for Northern Alberta and Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Spruce Grove.

"We know there is a direct connection between having safe, stable housing and a senior's overall well-being. Our commitment is to build quality accommodation options that meet a variety of needs. This investment helps ensure seniors can stay in their communities, close to family, friends and neighbours." - Honourable Jeff Johnson, Minister of Seniors, MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater.

Associated links:

• Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), invests approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour.
  
  
• In the last four years, the Alberta government has dedicated more than $220 million towards seniors' housing across the province. This includes $144.5 million in federal-provincial funding to renew and expand 14 lodges. Renovation projects and replacement units funded by the IAH in 2012-13 include government-owned lodges in Boyle, Camrose, Canmore, Drayton Valley, Forestburg and Milk River.
  
  

Stay connected:

• Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca

• Follow Alberta Seniors on Twitter @YourAlberta