Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in Affordable Housing in Magog

MAGOG, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 7, 2011) - Senator Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis, 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 Pierre Reid, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Orford, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, participated today in the official opening of the Complexe Roger-Crevier of the Office d'habitation de Magog, which provides a total of 58 housing units for families and seniors and to which the governments of Canada and Quebec jointly contributed more than $2.4 million. The development of this great local initiative resulted from a total investment of over $4.8 million.

In addition to the Government of Canada, through Canada's Economic Action Plan and the Affordable Housing Initiative Program Extension Agreement, and the Government of Quebec, under the AccèsLogis Québec program of the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ), community partners contributed over $1.1 million, including nearly $990,000 from the City of Magog.

"The Government of Canada is providing a hand-up to those who need it most here in Magog and in all corners of the country," said Senator Fortin-Duplessis. "The federal investments of more than $1 million helped to create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing 58 affordable rental housing units for families and seniors, here in this community."

"The Complexe Roger-Crevier is a great example of what can be achieved when the community comes together, and it is perfectly natural for our government to support this initiative that provides families and seniors with quality housing units that meet their needs, at an affordable cost. This commitment demonstrates the importance that we attach to ensuring the wellness of the citizens of Quebec. Congratulations to all partners who joined the SHQ in bringing this project to life," said MNA Pierre Reid, in the presence of Yvon Lamontagne, Deputy Mayor of Magog, Denise Poulin-Marcotte, President of the Office d'habitation de Magog, and community partners.

It should be noted that 29 tenants of the complex will be able to benefit from the Rent Supplement program, which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals who would otherwise have to spend more than 25 per cent of their income on housing. The rent supplements provided will represent, over a five-year period, over $443,000 in additional financial assistance, including nearly $399,000 from the SHQ and some $44,000 from the City of Magog.

The Government of Quebec has committed to supporting the project with a grant of more than $127,000 to ensure that the building meets the Novoclimat standard. The SHQ is giving particular attention to energy efficiency. All projects developed under the AccèsLogis Québec program must be designed so as to obtain the Novoclimat certification.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, Canada's Economic Action Plan included $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. As part of this commitment the Affordable Housing Initiative was extended for two years. For Quebec, these combined contributions mean a joint investment of more than $820 million, which includes $538 million for Canada's Economic Action Plan.

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at www.actionplan.gc.ca. 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.ca/housingactionplan.

In the 2011-2012 budget, the Government of Quebec announced that it intends to build an additional 2,000 community housing units, bringing to 32,000 units its objective of producing new affordable housing in Quebec. This represents an additional contribution of $140 million under the AccèsLogis Québec program, and brings to more than $1.4 billion the total assistance provided since 2003.

Since 2003, more than 870 affordable community housing units have been, or are being, developed in the Estrie region, including 169 in the riding of Orford, representing total investments of over $80 million by the governments and their partners.

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. In 2010, the SHQ supported more than 240,000 households across Quebec. For more information on this agency's programs and services, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/en/index.html.