Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in Social Housing

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - June 18, 2012) - 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 Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy and Minister responsible for the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ), are proud to announce that the governments of Canada and Quebec will have invested, by the end of the period from April 2011 to March 2013, more than $548 million to renovate, modernize and improve the federal-provincial social housing stock in Quebec.

For the year 2012-2013, $308 million will be invested by the two levels of government, including contributions by municipalities. Given that the average age of Quebec's low-rental housing stock is more than 30 years, this sum will serve to perform major work on these buildings. This is one more opportunity to improve the housing conditions of low-income households and people with special housing needs.

"The Government of Canada is committed to helping those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty," said Senator Fortin-Duplessis. "Considerable investments are being made in Quebec for the modernization and improvement of the existing social housing stock to help improve the quality of life of families, single persons and seniors throughout the province."

"The Quebec government's actions and vision contributed to raising the federal government's commitment," said Minister Laurent Lessard. "In addition to ensuring the sustainability of our social housing stock, the joint investments by our governments can only benefit the living environments of thousands of citizens across Quebec," he added.

It should be noted that, in 2011-2012, more than $240 million was invested by the governments of Canada and Quebec in the maintenance and renovation of some 73,000 units in the federal-provincial public and private social housing stock in Quebec. Of this sum, $182 million was provided through the replacement, modernization and improvement budget and $58 million was granted under the agreement related to Canada's Economic Action Plan.

The press conference took place at Habitations Gabriel-Sagard, an 87-unit housing project that has undergone major renovations in recent years. From 2008 to 2012, over $1.4 million was invested in this project thanks to the replacement, modernization and improvement budget for social housing in Quebec.

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 605,000 households living in social housing. In Quebec, this represents some 129,550 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.

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Each year, through its various programs, the SHQ supports more than 240,000 households across Quebec. For more information on this agency's programs and services, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html.