Construction Underway on Affordable, Assisted Living Complex in Steinbach

STEINBACH, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - July 23, 2015) - Construction has begun on Bridgepark Manor Phase II, a new three-storey, 50-unit affordable assisted living project to support and enhance an independent, healthy lifestyle for seniors in Steinbach and the central region. Manitoba Housing and Community Development Minister Mohinder Saran and Member of Parliament Ted Falk, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), made the announcement today.

The housing project will feature 29 one-bedroom and 21 two-bedroom units. Enhanced services will be available to residents, including two meals per day served in the shared dining area, planned recreational and social activities and weekly housekeeping services. This three-storey building will be built adjacent to the existing 52-unit Bridgepark Manor, which was completed in 2012. The kitchen and other amenity areas will be shared by residents of both buildings.

Quick facts:

• The estimated capital cost of the project is $12.6 million. The Governments of Canada and Manitoba will provide more than $2.3 million under the federal-provincial Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2014-2019 extension agreement. Additional funding for the project includes land and equity contributions through Bridgepark Manor Inc. (BMI), the City of Steinbach and tenant equity.

• BMI is a local community-based non-profit organization that will manage the property.

• Base rents will be set to Manitoba Housing's current affordable housing rates for Steinbach.

• The project is expected to be eligible for up to $600,000 under Manitoba's Rental Housing Construction Tax Credit upon completion.

• The building is expected to open to residents in the fall of 2016.

• In July 2014, the Governments of Canada and Manitoba announced a five-year extension to the IAH agreement. This joint investment will provide an additional combined $104 million over five years to support further affordable and social housing programs.

Quotes:

"I am pleased to see that construction has begun on the second phase of Bridgepark Manor. Our Government recognizes how important it is for seniors to live in their communities, close to family and friends. These units will ensure that the seniors of Steinbach and the surrounding area have affordable and supportive housing that meets their needs for years to come." - Ted Falk, Member of Parliament for Provencher, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

"Manitoba's seniors wish to stay in their communities for as long as possible, with ready access to necessary services and supports. Once complete, this new assisted living project with ensure seniors from Steinbach and the surrounding region can stay closer to loved ones and still remain part of their community. Projects like Bridgepark Manor Phase II help ensure our seniors remain healthy, safe and comfortable." - Honourable Mohinder Saran, Minister of Manitoba Housing and Community Development

"Assisted living and supportive care facilities allow our seniors to remain active and stay in Steinbach close to family and friends. Steinbach's elderly contribute greatly to our community and the new phase at Bridgepark Manor will help to keep more seniors living in Steinbach." - Mayor Chris Goertzen, City of Steinbach

"There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges facing our senior population today. Quality affordable, secure supportive housing is one component that Bridgepark Manor is providing. Our strategy is to enhance independent healthy retirement living by providing supportive services in a home-like environment." - Eric Peters, Board Chair, Bridgepark Manor Inc.

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. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

• The Manitoba government recently reached its five-year goal to provide funding commitments to create 1,500 new units of affordable housing throughout the province. The province is now working toward its new commitment to create another 500 affordable and 500 social housing units in the next three years. Manitoba Housing and Community Development's overall strategy complements Budget 2015, a plan to create good jobs, grow the economy and protect front-line services by focusing on what matters most to Manitoba families. More information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

Stay connected:

- Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca

- Connect with Manitoba Housing at: www.gov.mb.ca/housing