Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island Invest in Affordable Housing in Alberton

ALBERTON, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwire - Oct. 26, 2012) - The Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island gathered in Alberton today to announce funding for a new six unit supportive housing facility for individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless and are living with a mental illness or living with disabilities.

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Community Services and Seniors, made the announcement today.

"Our Government is proud to be investing in these six new units here in Alberton," said Minister Shea. "Projects like this one provide access to safe, affordable housing for people with special needs and make it possible for them to stay in their community."

"This project reconfirms our Government's commitment to providing safe, affordable housing to those in need," said Minister Docherty. "This is the first housing project in West Prince for people living with a mental illness and I hope that more units will become a reality across Prince Edward Island in the future."

The housing development is supported by joint federal and provincial funding of $174,600 through the extension of the 2011 Canada-P.E.I. Affordable Housing Agreement and $150,000 from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). In addition, it received $73,900 in funding from SkillsPEI, a division of the provincial Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning.

The project is being developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association. It is located adjacent to their existing clubhouse, which has provided services to the West Prince area for many years.

"We're really excited about this housing announcement today. Indeed, it is something that we have been working on in West Prince for over 10 years," said John Horrelt, Provincial President of the Canadian Mental Health Association. "Adequate, affordable and appropriate housing is a major factor that contributes significantly to a person's recovery from a mental health condition. With the creation of safe and affordable housing within the region where individuals live, we expect to be able to help individuals address their housing needs, maintain their family and social supports and be a positive factor in the recovery process."

On July 13, 2011, the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island announced a combined investment of close to $7 million under the renewal of the existing Affordable Housing Initiative and renovation programs for the 2011-2014 period. This funding will help Islanders in need of housing, including seniors, persons with disabilities and low income families.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Prince Edward Island, this represents some 3,100 households. 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.

HPS is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 designated communities across Canada. For more information on the HPS and the seven funding streams, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.

The provincial Department of Community Services and Seniors is committed to helping persons with disabilities of Prince Edward Island reach their full potential. To this end the Department operates housing units across the province for families, seniors and persons with disabilities who need help finding affordable, appropriate homes. The Province partners with the Government of Canada to provide these enhancements to housing options on Prince Edward Island.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada, through CMHC, is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.