Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in Affordable Housing in Trois-Pistoles

TROIS-PISTOLES, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Dec. 19, 2013) - As a result of the joint investments of the governments of Canada and Quebec and their local partners, semi-independent seniors now have access to 14 new affordable housing units adapted to their needs.

The opening of the second phase of the Domaine des Trois-Pistoles, the construction of which required a total investment of more than $2.1 million, was marked today by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Member of Parliament for Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), in the presence of Pascal Bérubé, Minister for Tourism and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ). This official opening crowned many years of work.

The Government of Canada, through the Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014, and the Government of Quebec, under the AccèsLogis Québec program of the SHQ, jointly invested over $917,000 for the development of this project. The community contributed a total of nearly $319,000, including more than $225,000 from the City of Trois-Pistoles and close to $29,000 from Bureau de l'efficacité et de l'innovation énergétiques of the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune to ensure that the building would meet the standards of the Novoclimat program.

"Our government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in this project here in Trois-Pistoles. These new units are more than just safe and affordable places to live. They are the key to a better life for the people who will call them home. 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 citizens of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," said Minister Lebel.

"These 14 new housing units, which are being added to the 20 already existing units, will enable more semi-independent seniors in our region to stay in familiar surroundings while maintaining a good quality of life. In fact, I am convinced that keeping seniors in their communities not only benefits the people themselves but also energizes the whole environment. Initiatives like the one that consisted in building the Domaine des Trois-Pistoles therefore help counter the rural exodus and break the isolation of seniors," said Minister Pascal Bérubé.

More than $120,000 in additional financial assistance over five years, assumed by the SHQ (90 per cent) and the City (10 per cent), enables half of the tenants of the Domaine des Trois-Pistoles to benefit from the Rent Supplement program, ensuring that they will pay only 25 per cent of their income on housing and thereby helping to increase their buying power for other necessities.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 594,000 households living in social housing. In Quebec, this represents some 127,150 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in 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 CMHC is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Société d'habitation du Québec

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Housing constitutes a structured response to numerous challenges and needs of Quebec society. Whether by helping to preserve the health of families and seniors, by addressing poverty, social exclusion and homelessness or by revitalizing neighbourhoods and regions, the SHQ contributes to improving the quality of life of 230,000 households each year. The SHQ also supports job creation and the economic development of all regions of Quebec.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the SHQ, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html. You may also visit Espace Habitat, the SHQ's Web magazine (in French only) that features, among other things, the benefits of this agency's initiatives on all of Quebec society.