Governments of Canada and Manitoba Reach Agreement on Delivery of Investments for Canadians in Housing Need

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - July 4, 2011) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba today announced a combined investment of some $62 million under a new affordable housing agreement that will reduce the number of Manitobans in housing need.

The agreement recognizes the diverse housing needs of Canadians and that provinces and territories are best positioned to design the affordable housing programs that will address housing need in their jurisdictions.

The Province of Manitoba will fully cost-match the federal funding and deliver provincially-designed housing programs. The agreement provides the Province with the flexibility to make investments to achieve the overall outcome under the Framework: to reduce the number of Canadians in housing need by improving access to affordable housing that is sound, suitable and sustainable for Canadians in need.

The province will be developing approximately 150 affordable seniors housing units through the recent Request for Proposals (RFP) and will also be developing affordable family housing through an RFP that will be released this August. Manitoba will continue to provide renovation programming to homeowners and provide renovation grants to help seniors and persons with disabilities make their homes more liveable. In addition, the province will also launch a homeownership program for targeted southern rural and northern communities.

Both orders of government will report annually to the public regarding the investments and progress toward achieving the intended outcomes of the initiative.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development and Minister Responsible for Manitoba Housing, made the announcement today.

"Our government is committed to working with the Province of Manitoba to develop and implement solutions to housing," said Minister Finley. "This agreement recognizes the need for local solutions to housing challenges and the importance of reporting on progress on achievement of outcomes."

"This support from our housing partner provides assistance as we continue to deliver a robust, historic investment in housing and community development," said Minister Irvin-Ross. "Just as the Government of Canada provided assistance to help us exceed our goals under our HOMEWorks! $378 million two-year investment plan. This financial support will help us provide even more housing for families, seniors, and other Manitoba citizens under our new three year Action Plan."

In September 2008, the Government of Canada committed to a five-year investment of more than $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness to address the needs of low-income Canadians, those at risk of homelessness, and the homeless. This included a two-year renewal of the Affordable Housing Initiative and renovation programs until March 31, 2011 with a commitment to consult on the use of the investments for the 2011-2014 period.

In the fall of 2009, federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as municipalities, public and private stakeholders, engaged on how best to use federal funding from 2011 to 2014. Federal, provincial and territorial housing ministers also met in December 2009 to discuss the future of these investments.

These investments are part of the Government of Canada's $1.9-billion commitment for housing and homelessness programs announced in 2008. This funding will ensure that the Government can continue to assist low-income Canadians, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Canada's Economic Action Plan has built on these investments by making an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, and by making available $2 billion in loans to Canadian municipalities over two years for housing-related infrastructure improvements. The Government's investments are creating jobs, stimulating local economies and improving the quality of life for many Canadians. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Manitoba Housing and Community Development provides a wide range of programs and activities that promote well-being and social inclusion for people in their homes and in their communities. Recognizing that housing is central to strong, healthy communities, the Department strives to safeguard an adequate supply of quality, affordable housing across Manitoba, particularly for low and moderate income households or people with specialized needs. This year alone, the province is investing $144 million on housing and housing related capital projects. This investment provides immediate jobs, community development and an increase to the provincial Gross Domestic Product through directed and induced effects that result in an additional $132 million boost to the provincial economy in economic spin offs. More information about Manitoba Housing and Community Development programs is at www.manitoba.ca/housing.

Recognizing that housing is central to strong, healthy communities, the department partners with the federal government, municipalities, the private, and non-profit sectors, to provide quality, affordable housing across Manitoba, particularly for low and moderate income households or people with specialized needs.