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

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - June 26, 2015) - Five new affordable housing units for low-income families and persons with disabilities were officially opened today in Moncton.

Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) along with the Honourable Cathy Rogers, New Brunswick Minister of Social Development.

"This is an exciting day for the community and I am delighted to be part of it," said Parliamentary Secretary Goguen. "Our Government's investment in Moncton is helping to provide an energy-efficient and affordable place for families and persons with disabilities to call home."

"Our government's priorities are job creation, and making New Brunswick the best place to live, work, and raise a family - for all New Brunswickers," said Minister Rogers. "Taking part of this important program, moves New Brunswick forward by creating a province where every individual and family is accepted, included, and valued. "

The complex, located at 65 Purdy Ave. in Moncton, contains nine new units of which five are designated for affordable housing. Funding for the construction of these units was provided through the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014, including $200,000 from the federal government and more than $400,000 in rent supplements from the provincial government. The project was developed by First Choice Apartments Inc.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve 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 continued 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.

The affordable housing options are helping to move New Brunswick forward by ensuring low-income families and persons with disabilities, seniors, non-elderly singles, disabled persons and persons with special needs enjoy a better quality of life. Funding is available to private non-profit organizations, co-operatives, and community or private entrepreneurs interested in developing such projects. For more information on affordable housing projects in New Brunswick, visit www.gnb.ca/socialdevelopment.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.