Governments of Canada and New Brunswick Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Moncton

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2012) - Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Moncton - Riverview - Dieppe, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable Sue Stultz, New Brunswick Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Housing, today participated in the official opening of McKee Manor in Moncton, that provides 50 affordable housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Funding in the amount of $2 million has been made available for the initiative through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $75 million under the amended Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

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 615,000 households living in existing social housing. In N.B., this represents some 16,200 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.

"Our government is dedicated to giving a hand-up to those in need. That's why we are proud to have invested in McKee Manor," said MP Goguen. "The new units are safe and affordable, and help to enhance the lives of seniors who will call them home."

"With the opening of these new units, we are helping New Brunswickers care for their families by investing in safe and affordable housing," said Stultz. "With the continued support of our partners, we are making a difference in the lives of low-income seniors and people with disabilities in our community."

The apartment complex, located at 101 Norwood Avenue, cost $4.9 million and was established by St. Augustine's Housing Ltd., a non-profit developer. In addition to the funding provided through Canada's Economic Action Plan's Housing for low-income seniors and housing for persons with disabilities, the project received close to $4 million in rent supplements from the provincial government for all 50 units.

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.