Governments Announce New Seniors' Assisted Living Facility

DOMINION CITY, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Jan. 13, 2016) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release

A new multi-unit building will combine the privacy of individual living spaces with the convenience and social benefits of shared meals and other services for seniors from the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin and the surrounding region. The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation along with the Honourable Mohinder Saran, Minister of Manitoba Housing and Community Development announced today.

The housing project (photo below) includes a raised, bungalow-style, multi-family home, with four studio and six one-bedroom units. The main floor will include a shared kitchen, dining area, lounge and laundry facility. The basement will offer storage spaces, shared recreational area and office space for homecare services. A house manager will oversee all enhanced services for residents, including meals in the shared dining area, laundry and light cleaning.

Quick facts:

• The estimated capital cost of the project is $1.6 million. The governments of Canada and Manitoba will provide more than $566,000 under the federal-provincial Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2014-2019 extension agreement. The Municipality of Emerson-Franklin is donating the land for the project, valued at $100,000.
  
  
• Emerson-Franklin Heritage Holdings Inc (EFHHI) was created in 2014 to develop and manage capital projects in the municipality and also enhance housing, social and recreational services. It is the first group in Manitoba to be an affiliated member of the Abbeyfield Society of Canada, which is part of an international organization focused on providing communal housing for seniors.
  
  
• Eight units will be available at affordable rents of $414 per month for a studio suite and $587 for a one-bedroom suite. Two units will be available on a rent geared-to-income basis to accommodate lower-income households.
  
  
• EFHHI is expected to be eligible for up to nearly $90,000 under Manitoba's Rental Housing Construction Tax Credit upon project completion.
  
  
• The new building is designed to be accessible and will meet Manitoba Hydro's Power Smart designation.
  
  
• The building is expected to open in the fall of 2016.
  
  

Quotes:

"Congratulations to everyone involved in this new housing development for seniors. In the coming weeks and months, we look forward to working with Canadians, housing stakeholders and our partners in provinces, territories and municipalities as we work to restore the government's role in supporting affordable housing." - Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

"We know that feeling at home and being part of a community are essential for the continued health and well-being of seniors. This new project will have benefits for residents beyond simply an affordable, safe and comfortable place to live. We are pleased to be a part of the first seniors' housing project in Manitoba that follows the Abbeyfield housing model, which has been successfully implemented elsewhere in Canada and around the world." - Honourable Mohinder Saran, Minister of Manitoba Housing and Community Development

"Our municipality is grateful for the dedicated efforts of the Emerson Franklin Heritage Holdings board to ensure senior residents have the opportunity to remain in our community with the construction of an Abbeyfield Home and the assisted living supports it will provide. The financial assistance provided by Manitoba and Canada was critical in assuring the Abbeyfield Home remains accessible and affordable for seniors throughout our region." - Greg Janzen, reeve, Municipality of Emerson-Franklin

"For too many years, the elders of our region have had to leave the place they have called home all their lives. With the construction of a new Abbeyfield Home in Dominion City, our board is confident that the majority of Emerson-Franklin seniors will be able to remain close to family, friends and community with the additional assistance required to age-in-place. Our board deeply appreciates the financial support the provincial and federal governments have provided through the affordable housing initiative and, in particular, the expertise provided by the compassionate and professional staff here in Manitoba." - Bryan Nichols, chairperson, Emerson-Franklin Heritage Holdings Inc.

Associated links:

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has been Canada's authority on housing for 70 years. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, visit www.cmhc.ca or call 1-800-668-2642
  
  
• 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, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook

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

• Learn more about the Abbeyfield Society of Canada at: www.abbeyfield.ca

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160112-Senior%20assisted%20living%20facility%20800.jpg