Joint Government Funding Increases Affordable Housing for Seniors in Smoky Lake

SMOKY LAKE, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - March 28, 2015) - More seniors will have access to new affordable housing options in Smoky Lake thanks to an investment of some $9.4 million by the Governments of Canada and Alberta. The joint funding will allow for the replacement of the original Bar-V-Nook Manor with a new 48-unit lodge.

Brian Storseth, Member of Parliament for Westlock-St. Paul, Alberta, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with the Honourable Jeff Johnson, Minister responsible for Seniors and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater, made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• The Bar-V-Nook Manor is located at 4524 - 52^nd Avenue, Smoky Lake, Alberta and is operated by The Smoky Lake Foundation.
• The Governments of Canada and Alberta are jointly contributing $9,408,000 under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement 2014-2019. This agreement represents some $202 million over five years to help more individuals and families in housing need.
• Additional funding, some $2.3 million, will be provided by the Smoky Lake Foundation.
• The new lodge will replace the existing 48-unit Bar-V-Nook Manor and will be attached to the 40-unit supportive living project being built adjacent to the existing lodge.
• There are also 24 existing self-contained apartments at the site of the lodge. Once all the development is complete there will be independent, lodge and supportive living options for seniors.

Quotes:

"Our Government is committed to working with Alberta to develop and implement local solutions to housing. These investments are especially helping seniors in Smoky Lake access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs." - Brian Storseth, Member of Parliament for Westlock-St. Paul

"We know there is a direct connection between having safe, stable housing and a senior's overall well-being. Our commitment is to build quality accommodation options that meet a variety of needs. This investment helps ensure seniors can stay in their communities, close to family, friends and neighbours." - Honourable Jeff Johnson, Minister of Seniors, MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater

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.
• In the last four years, the Alberta government has dedicated more than $220 million towards seniors' housing across the province. This includes $144.5 million in federal-provincial funding to renew and expand 14 lodges. Renovation projects and replacement units funded by the IAH in 2012-13 include government-owned lodges in Boyle, Camrose, Canmore, Drayton Valley, Forestburg and Milk River.

Stay connected:

- Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca

- Follow Alberta Seniors on Twitter @YourAlberta