Governments of Canada and Alberta Invest in New Affordable Housing for Seniors in Fort Macleod

FORT MACLEOD, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - March 27, 2015) - Seniors in Fort Macleod will have new affordable housing options thanks to a $7.25-million investment by the Governments of Canada and Alberta. This funding will support the regeneration of 37 affordable housing units at the Macleod Pioneer Lodge, owned by the Willow Creek Foundation.

John Barlow, Member of Parliament for Macleod, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with the Honourable Jeff Johnson, Minister responsible for Seniors and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater, made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• The Macleod Pioneer Lodge is located at 660-28th Street in Fort Macleod.
• The funding will support the regeneration of the existing 37 units at the Macleod Pioneer Lodge.
• The existing lodge was constructed in 1960 and is owned by the Willow Creek Foundation.
• The Governments of Canada and Alberta are jointly contributing $7,252,000 to the project under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement 2014-2019. This agreement represents some $202 million over five years to help more individuals and families in housing need.
• The Willow Creek Foundation will provide an additional $1.813 million in funding to the project.
• The Willow Creek Foundation is responsible for the existing Macleod Pioneer Lodge, the Chinook Arch Manor in Granum and the Colonel Macleod Manors One and Two in Fort Macleod.

Quotes:

"Access to affordable, quality housing is important, not only here in Alberta, but across Canada. Our government is proud to invest in housing developments that provide seniors with a stable and affordable place to live. This is great news for Fort Macleod."

- John Barlow, Member of Parliament for Macleod

"We know there is a direct connection between having safe, stable housing and a senior's overall well-being. Our commitment is to build quality accommodation options that meet a variety of needs. This investment helps ensure seniors can stay in their communities, close to family, friends and neighbours."

- Honourable Jeff Johnson, Minister of Seniors, MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater

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.
• In the last four years, the Alberta government has dedicated more than $220 million towards seniors' housing across the province. This includes $144.5 million in federal-provincial funding to renew and expand 14 lodges. Renovation projects and replacement units funded by the IAH in 2012-13 include government-owned lodges in Boyle, Camrose, Canmore, Drayton Valley, Forestburg and Milk River.

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