Joint Government Funding Will Add New Affordable Housing and Health Spaces to Seniors Lodge

BOYLE, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - June 15, 2013) - The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta are working together to expand the Wildrose Villa into an integrated lodge-health facility for seniors in Boyle. The Wildrose Villa project will see 40 of its current 42 units renovated into 20 larger units in order to make them accessible, and an addition of 32 new units to create a rural integrated lodge-health facility that serves both traditional lodge clients and clients with health care needs. Twenty-two of the units in the facility will target seniors in need of higher levels of care. Wildrose Villa accommodations, managed by the Greater North Foundation, are for eligible seniors in need of affordable and supportive living services.

Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort-McMurray-Athabasca on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Alberta Premier Alison Redford made the announcement today. Jeff Johnson, Minister of Education and MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater, was also in attendance.

"Our Government is investing in affordable housing in Alberta to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those families who need it most," said MP Jean. "This funding will help seniors in Boyle access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs. 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 a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security."

"We want all our seniors to get the best possible care close to home - we know they want to be close to their families and neighbours as they age," said Premier Alison Redford. "That's why we're investing in infrastructure, and building Alberta, so that we can ensure as many seniors as possible get the health care they need in their communities. I know this is going to make a difference for people in Boyle."

The total cost of the development is approximately $10.9 million. The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Province of Alberta, through Alberta Municipal Affairs, are contributing a combined total of $8.8 million. In addition to the joint funding, Alberta Health is providing $2.2 million through the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI).

ASLI is an Alberta government capital program that provides funding to develop affordable supportive living spaces in the province. Boyle has been identified as having a need for additional supportive living spaces, which will offer the home-like accommodation of private rooms, with the advantages of meals, nursing care, and other services to meet residents' changing needs.

The vision of the Greater North Foundation is to provide quality accommodations for current and future seniors.

"The expansion and renovation of Wildrose Villa will be such a benefit for the senior citizens of Boyle and surrounding area as they will be able to age in place within their own community," said Greater North Foundation Board Chair Lionel Cherniwchan. "We are pleased that the federal and provincial governments are working together to fund this project."

This funding comes as a result of the recently announced $121 million Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Alberta. Alberta will use the funds under the new agreement to create new and renovate existing affordable housing for households in need.

Economic Action Plan 2013 continues this commitment with a proposed federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. Funds provided to provinces and territories through IAH agreements will support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. More than 136,000 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011-December 31, 2012.

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 close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing. In Alberta, this represents an estimated 37,250 households. These investments are improving 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.

Through partnerships with federal and municipal governments, community groups, and the non-profit and private sectors, Alberta has made great strides to increase the supply of affordable housing across the province. Since 2007, the Government of Alberta has supported the development of 12,000 affordable housing units for homeless and lower-income Albertans through capital grant funding in 62 communities. The province celebrated achieving and exceeding its original goal of 11,000 units by 2012 in September. For more information on Alberta's housing support, visit http://municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/housing.cfm.

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-schl.gc.ca.