Community Inclusions O'Leary Housing Project Celebrates Grand Opening

O'LEARY, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwire - Dec. 5, 2011) - The Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island, along with community partners, attended the grand opening of the Community Inclusions O'Leary Housing Project today.

The affordable housing development is a seven-unit building for persons with disabilities. The project is supported by $200,000 in funding from the 2009 extension of the Canada - Prince Edward Island Affordable Housing Agreement and $142,500 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 helping make affordable housing available in Prince Edward Island and across Canada for those who need it the most," said Minister Shea. "These new seven units in O'Leary are helping persons with disabilities access safe and affordable housing, and build a stronger future for themselves."

"The Community Inclusions O'Leary Housing Project is an excellent example of government working with community partners to better the lives of Islanders," said Minister Docherty. "As a result of this successful partnership, there are now seven new, safe and accessible units for persons living with disabilities on Prince Edward Island."

The project is a conversion of the former O'Leary Lions Club building, which the Club graciously donated to Community Inclusions. The project provides seven semi-independent residential units as well as office space. Community Inclusions is a not for profit organization that provides supports to adults aged 18 to 65 living with intellectual disabilities.

"Community Inclusions is proud to partner with the Federal and Provincial Governments, and also with the Community of O'Leary and the O'Leary Lions Club, to develop additional housing opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities in the region," said Community Inclusions Chairperson Raeanne Adams.

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. As part of this investment, the Affordable Housing Initiative and the federal renovation programs for low-income households were extended for two years, which represented some $3 million in federal funding for Prince Edward Island. Extensions of the Affordable Housing Initiative and Renovation Program Agreements were signed in July 2011 by both orders of government, implementing P.E.I.'s allocation of the remaining three years of the $1.9 billion, which amounts to a further $4.4 million in federal funding for P.E.I. residents in housing need.

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.

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 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 more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For more information on the HPS and the seven funding streams, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.