Governments of Manitoba and Canada Celebrate Official Opening of New Affordable Housing in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Oct. 26, 2012) - The governments of Manitoba and Canada today celebrated the opening of Place La Charrette, a 37-unit building that will enhance housing quality and accessibility for low- to moderate income families and persons with disabilities in Winnipeg.

The announcement was made by Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development and Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

"Congratulations to Ten Ten Sinclair on the opening of this wonderful new accessible apartment complex," said Minister Irvin-Ross. "This is a time to celebrate the fact there is new additional housing for Manitobans with disability issues. However, we also need to continue to work together - community, government and private sector - to develop a variety of community-based housing models that ensure all Manitobans have suitable housing options."

"Our Government is providing a hand-up to those who need it most here in Winnipeg and in all corners of the country," said MP Bruinooge. "Funding projects like Place La Charrette will not only improve the overall housing conditions for persons with disabilities, but also helps to stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

The apartments, located at 3389 Pembina Highway in Winnipeg, received more than $10.7 million in federal and provincial investment under the 2009 Extension of the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Program Agreement and through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The 37-unit rental complex was developed by Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. for low- to moderate income families and persons with disabilities. The apartments are heated by a geothermal system providing lower operating costs and reduced greenhouse gases; the project met or exceeded Power Smart standards overall.

HOMEWorks! is Manitoba's long-term housing strategy. Under this strategy, the province, through Manitoba Housing with the financial support of the Government of Canada, continues to make significant investments in social and affordable housing. The province has committed to the development of 1,500 affordable housing units across the province and has already approved to the development of more than 1,000 homes. HOMEWorks! supports ALL Aboard, Manitoba's poverty-reduction strategy, by increasing the supply of quality, affordable housing for low-income Manitobans. More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

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 Manitoba, this represents some 40,700 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.

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