Canada and Manitoba Celebrate 52 New Affordable Housing Units for Seniors in Steinbach Area

STEINBACH, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Feb. 11, 2011) - The Governments of Canada and Manitoba today announced more than $3 million in joint funding for 52 units of affordable seniors' housing, including units geared towards independent living. The rental apartments will be developed and managed by Bridgepark Manor Inc.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Regional Minister for Manitoba, 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 Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development.

"Our government's Economic Action Plan is delivering for Canadian seniors during these tough economic times," said Minister Toews. "I'm pleased that the construction of Bridgepark Manor will mean that lower-income seniors and seniors with disabilities will have increased access to quality affordable housing right here in Steinbach."

"Our government is committed to working with our partners to ensure seniors in Manitoba have a safe, affordable place to call home," said Irvin-Ross. "This important investment meets a clear need in Steinbach and the surrounding area and helps further our commitment to building 1500 new units of affordable housing in Manitoba and to build brighter futures for all Manitoba's seniors."

Included in the 52 seniors' units in Bridgepark Manor will be 15 two-bedroom units and 37 one-bedroom, independent living and fully accessible apartments for mobility-impaired residents. Rents for the one- and two-bedroom units will be at or below the current median market rent in Steinbach, and additional services, such as housekeeping and recreational programming, will be available to tenants.

Federal funding was made available through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $158 million under the amended Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Agreement. Provincial funding for the project was provided by Manitoba Housing through HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba's long-term housing strategy and investment plan.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. 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 ALLAboard, Manitoba's Poverty Reduction strategy by increasing the supply of quality, affordable housing for low-income Manitobans. As part of Manitoba Housing's HOMEWorks! investment plan, 600 new affordable household units will be built over two years, and a total of 1500 new households will be built in five years. More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

Today's announcement builds on the work of the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative to support seniors in leading active, socially engaged, independent lives that contribute to healthy aging. The goal of the Initiative is to make Manitoba the most age-friendly province in Canada by working with the communities and the federal government to enhance the programs and services that benefit the well-being of all seniors.

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.

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.