Governments of Canada and Yukon Contribute to Make Housing Better for Yukoners

WHITEHORSE, YUKON--(Marketwired - May 29, 2015) - Together, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Government of Yukon, through Yukon Housing Corporation, are jointly contributing $1.57 million towards improving housing for Yukoners.

Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with the Honourable Stacey Hassard, Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

Improvements for housing to Yukoners during the fiscal year of 2015/16, as part of the $1.57 million contribution include:

• Converting some single family social housing buildings into social housing duplexes to increase the number of housing units;
• 600 College Drive and Greenwood Place will benefit from mechanical repairs and upgrades including plumbing and heating system repairs and improvements for these seniors' housing facilities;
• Haines Junction seniors' residence will receive funding to replace a staircase;
• Accessibility upgrades to various YHC seniors' housing buildings, including low-rise bathtubs, wheelchair accessible showers, and safety grab bars;
• Repairs and rehabilitation to various social housing units in Yukon to make them serviceable once again and increasing the number of units available.

The joint funding is part of the recent Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2014-2019 agreement that was signed in July of 2014. Under the agreement, the Governments of Canada and Yukon agreed to provide a combined investment of some $16 million over five years for affordable housing projects.

Since 2011, the IAH has contributed to a number of new capital construction projects such as:

• $1.05 million in Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) funding was allocated to construct the Options for Independence (OFI) housing project located in Whitehorse.
• $2.55 million in AHI funding was earmarked to construct a new 34 unit Whitehorse seniors' social housing complex on Alexander St.
• $450,000 was allocated for the Mayo seniors' social housing project currently under construction.

Quotes:

"Our Government remains committed to smart investments in housing to create better economic outcomes for Yukon families who benefit from these programs," said MP Leef on behalf of Minister of State Candice Bergen. "By partnering with the Yukon government, we want to ensure that these investments provide affordable housing to low-income Canadians, and create needed jobs and opportunities for apprentices."

"The Investment in Affordable Housing agreement is a valuable funding approach to improving the housing situation for Yukoners," Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Stacey Hassard said. "This financial support from the federal government is critical to the delivery of our social housing program and a number of other housing supports that benefit the Yukon public."

Associated links:

• Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), invests 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 Yukon Housing Corporation works to resolve existing and emerging housing challenges in Yukon by providing social, senior and staff housing, as well as other programs to assist Yukoners to build, purchase, upgrade and repair their homes. We support Yukoners most in need to find and maintain suitable and attainable accommodation, and we collaborate with all levels of government, non-profit organizations and other parties to find innovative housing solutions.

Stay connected:

• Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca

• Connect with the Government of Yukon at www.gov.yk.ca