Government of Nova Scotia Announces Investment of $5 Million in Social Housing

DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Aug. 8, 2014) - Low-income seniors living in social housing developments throughout the province will benefit from improvements to their homes as a result of a $5-million investment in property repairs, upgrades and revitalization.

Scott Armstrong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with the Honourable Joanne Bernard, Nova Scotia Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for Housing Nova Scotia, made the announcement today at Alderney Manor, a 198-unit seniors' housing residence in Dartmouth.

"Our Government's investment in affordable housing here in Nova Scotia is helping to improve the quality of life of those who benefit from these programs, and is contributing to the social well-being of the entire community," said PS Armstrong. "Today's announcement is an excellent example of funding that works to ensure that housing developments continue to be viable and affordable for years to come."

"Housing Nova Scotia believes seniors deserve to live in comfortable, suitable, and well-maintained homes," said Minister Bernard. "Investments like this not only improve the living conditions for low-income seniors, they also ensure they are able to live independently for as long as possible in their own home."

Work will begin this fall in communities throughout the province.

The investment will result in improvements to eight seniors' housing properties across the province, benefiting close to 1,000 seniors. Work will take place at Alderney Manor, Joe Howe Manor, Sunrise Manor, MacKeen Manor, Dr. Samuel Prince Manor, Enfield Manor, Fort Cumberland Manor, and Esplanade. Upgrades include lobby/entrance upgrades, window replacement, plumbing, elevator upgrades, exterior and interior work, sprinklers and bathroom upgrades.

Alderney Manor, where today's event took place, will benefit from an upgrade to its windows, plumbing, elevators, bathrooms, sprinklers, and lobby.

The federal-provincial Social Housing Agreement, which dates from 1997, includes a carry-over provision, which allows provincial governments to re-invest accumulated funds into existing social housing. In November 2013, Minister Bernard announced that plans would be developed by Housing Nova Scotia to invest these accumulated funds on renovations and upgrades to Nova Scotia's social housing stock.

This is the second round of investments from the $60-million carry-over, which is dedicated to the renewal and preservation of the province's aging housing stock. With this announcement, the Province of Nova Scotia has committed $9 million to date, for the revitalization of its social housing. Four million dollars was announced in March for heating upgrades, roofing and windows, upgrades to sprinkler and fire alarm systems, and improving access to social housing units.

Housing Nova Scotia helps Nova Scotians secure affordable housing that meets their needs. For more information on Housing Nova Scotia visit www.housingns.ca.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 600,000 households living in existing social housing. In Nova Scotia, this represents an estimated 19,000 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing. 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. 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. This week, the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia announced an additional combined investment of some $102 million over five years, to help more individuals and families in housing need. 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. From April 2011 to March 2014, the IAH has already helped more than 183,600 households nationally, and more than 7,374 in Nova Scotia.

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-schl.gc.ca.