Canada's Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Social Housing in Manitoba

THOMPSON, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - March 25, 2011) - The Government of Canada announced today that eight urban native non-profit projects located in Manitoba will receive almost $240,000 through Canada's Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

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).

"Canada's Economic Action Plan is working," said Minister Toews. "Funding renovation and retrofit projects like these ones not only improves the quality of life of the residents but also helps stimulate the economy and create local jobs."

The Government of Canada, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

Keewatin Housing Association used the contribution from the Government of Canada to replace windows and doors in seven of their projects and to repair a foundation in an eighth project.

"It couldn't have happened at a better time for our organization," said Mildred Osborne, Manager of the Keewatin Housing Association.

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: ww.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. 

RENOVATION AND RETROFIT OF EXISTING SOCIAL HOUSING ADMINISTERED BY CMHC

The Government of Canada's commitment to affordable housing is significant.

Overall, Canada's Economic Action Plan provides a total of $7.8 billion to build quality housing, stimulate construction, create jobs, encourage home ownership and enhance the energy efficiency of Canadian homes. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will deliver more than $2 billion to provide new and renovated housing for more than 200,000 Canadian households.

Co-operative and non-profit housing represents an important form of housing for many low and moderate-income households. A portion of the existing units are aging and require repairs and upgrading to meet modern energy efficiency and accessibility standards.

As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government will invest $1 billion to renovate and retrofit existing social housing. Of this amount, $850 millions will be used for existing social housing projects administered by provinces and territories, which are in receipt of annual Federal funding. Provinces and territories are required to cost-share this funding on a 50-50 basis and are responsible for program design and delivery.

The remainder of the $1 billion, $150 million will be delivered over two years to address the needs of existing social housing units directly funded and administered by CMHC. This $150 million is targeted, under the Renovation and Retrofit of Existing Social Housing Initiative (the "Renovation and Retrofit Initiative"), to off-reserve federally funded and administered social housing units currently subject to an operating agreement under a National Housing Act social housing program. The following criteria apply to the $150 million being delivered by CMHC:

• This initiative will help address the demand for renovation, general improvement, energy efficiency upgrade or conversion, regeneration and modifications for persons with disabilities.

• Applicants must have the capacity to undertake work quickly and must meet all other program eligibility criteria; and

• Priority will be given to sponsors who have managed their projects well and who do not have sufficient funds in their replacement reserve to carry out repairs.

Eligible repairs include, but are not limited to repairs to existing building components, replacement or construction of worn out major building components, major building services, basic facilities and equipment.