Governments of Canada and Manitoba Invest in New Affordable Housing in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Dec. 16, 2013) - A new 92-unit rental housing project in Winnipeg will provide safe, affordable homes for low-income families and seniors. The unique rental housing concept, located at 840 Ravelston Avenue in Transcona, will enable families to support an aging parent or relative in need of care.

Manitoba's Housing and Community Development Minister, the Honourable Peter Bjornson and Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), made the funding announcement today.

"The distinctive design of this new rental housing project not only offers much-needed quality affordable housing, it also allows families to support seniors who need at-home care," said Minister Bjornson. "This builds upon Manitoba's commitment to construct 500 more social housing units and 500 new affordable rental units over the next three years in addition to 1,500 social housing and 1,500 affordable housing units on schedule for 2014."

"Our Government is committed to working with Manitoba to develop and implement local solutions to housing", said MP Toet. "This investment is helping families and seniors of Winnipeg access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs. 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 a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security".

The project, sponsored by Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (WHRC) in Transcona, will consist of two wings, a four-storey wing will provide 47 affordable housing units for seniors and a six-storey wing will consist of 45 affordable housing units for families. The two wings will be connected by a two-storey common space and the project will also have separate amenity space for seniors and families as well as common areas and amenity space for intergenerational activities. WHRC will be managing the property once it is opened.

Project costs are estimated to be over $25.9 million. The Government of Canada and Manitoba will provide joint funding of $14.3 million to help develop 92 units of affordable housing for families and adults in Winnipeg. The funding comes as a result of the $62 million Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Manitoba. The Province of Manitoba will use the funds under the new agreement to build more affordable housing and upgrade existing housing to ensure low-income Manitobans will have safe, stable homes. The City of Winnipeg provided the land for the project and additional funding was provided by WHRC.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing. In Manitoba, this represents an estimated 39,700 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing. 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. Economic Action Plan 2013 continues 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. More than 146,769 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013.

Over the next three years, the Manitoba government will invest $100 million annually to restore and redevelop housing units in its portfolio. An additional $34 million will be dedicated annually to repair existing stock and provide quality home environments for tenants. These investments to build more affordable housing are in addition to increased benefits for employment income assistance recipients and other low-income Manitobans announced in Budget 2013 through an annual increase of $6.3 million in RentAid shelter benefits. More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

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.