Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in Affordable Housing in Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly

SAINT-ANTOINE-DE-TILLY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct. 28, 2013) - As a result of the joint investments of the governments of Canada and Quebec and their local partners, semi-independent seniors now have access to a 19-unit affordable housing project adapted to their needs.

The Domaine Saint-Antoine, the construction of which required a total investment of close to $3 million, was officially opened today by André Villeneuve, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ). The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, for Official Languages and for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Jacques Gourde, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) also wanted to mark this opening that crowns many years of work.

The Government of Canada, through the Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014, and the Government of Quebec, under the AccèsLogis Québec program of the SHQ, jointly invested over $1.3 million for the development of this project. The community contributed a total of some $437,000, including nearly $185,000 from the Municipality of Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly. It should also be mentioned that the project also received an additional grant of $250,000 under the Renovation Québec program of the SHQ.

"Our government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in this project in the village of Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly. These new units are more than just safe and affordable places to live. They are the key to a better life for the people who will call them home. We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being citizens of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," said Gourde.

"Thanks to this residence, the elders in this community can now live in a quiet, safe and affordable environment. The Domaine Saint-Antoine is a concrete example of what we wish to offer to seniors in all regions of Quebec, that is, a place where it is possible to remain independent for a long time while maintaining a good quality of life. That is why our government is making significant investments to allow for the construction of a large number of affordable and community housing units," mentioned André Villeneuve.

Located in the heart of the municipality, the Domaine Saint-Antoine is a complex for independent and semi-independent seniors aged 65 years or older. The building includes a communal dining room where meals are provided for the tenants and a community lounge where residents can socialize and have visits from their loved ones.

More than $172,000 in additional financial assistance over five years, assumed by the SHQ (90 per cent) and the Municipality (10 per cent), enables 10 tenants of the Domaine Saint-Antoine to benefit from the Rent Supplement program, ensuring that they will pay only 25 per cent of their income on housing and thereby helping to increase their buying power for other necessities.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 594,000 households living in social housing. In Quebec, this represents some 127,150 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

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

Société d'habitation du Québec

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Housing constitutes a structured response to numerous challenges and needs of Quebec society. Whether by helping to preserve the health of families and seniors, by addressing poverty, social exclusion and homelessness or by revitalizing neighbourhoods and regions, the Société d'habitation du Québec contributes to improving the quality of life of 230,000 households each year. The SHQ also supports job creation and the economic development of all regions of Quebec.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the SHQ, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html. You may also visit Espace Habitat, the SHQ's Web magazine (in French only) that features, among other things, the benefits of this agency's initiatives on all of Quebec society.