Celtic Montague Celebrates Grand Opening

MONTAGUE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwire - Feb. 22, 2012) - Members of the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island, along with community partners, attended the grand opening of Celtic Montague today.

The affordable housing development is a five-unit building for persons with disabilities. The project is supported by $206,000 in funding from the 2009 extension of the Canada - Prince Edward Island Affordable Housing Agreement and $149,195 from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island, 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 Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Community Services and Seniors, attended the event.

"The Government of Canada is dedicated to helping those in need on the Island and across Canada," said Minister Shea. "Through projects like Celtic Montague, our Government is providing accessible, affordable housing to people with disabilities in our community."

Located on Fraser Street, Celtic Montague features three one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units. All five housing units are barrier-free, allowing residents to enjoy an entirely accessible environment.

"The Government of Prince Edward Island is committed to providing accessible living options for those Islanders who live with a disability," said Minister Docherty. "I am confident that the design of Celtic Montague will allow residents to live their lives to the fullest potential with minimal restrictions in their daily lives."

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 615,000 households living in existing social housing. In Prince Edward Island, this represents some 3,100 households. These investments are improving 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.

HPS is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 designated communities across Canada. For more information on the HPS and the seven funding streams, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.

The Provincial Department of Community Services and Seniors is committed to helping persons with disabilities of Prince Edward Island reach their full potential. To this end the Department operates housing units across the province for families, seniors and persons with disabilities who need help finding affordable, appropriate homes. The Province partners with the Government of Canada to provide these enhancements to housing options on Prince Edward Island.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada, through CMHC, is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.