Joint Government Funding Will Add New Affordable Housing to Seniors Lodge In Canmore

CANMORE, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Sept. 27, 2013) - The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta are working together to expand the Bow River Lodge, a seniors' residence located in Canmore. The Bow River Lodge project will see 43 units renovated into 27 larger units in order to make them accessible. Another 31 new units and additional amenity space will be added through an expansion.

Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with Ron Casey, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Banff-Cochrane, made the announcement today.

"Our Government is committed to working with the Province of Alberta to develop and implement local solutions to housing," said MP Richards. "This investment will continue to help seniors access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs. We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care about most: 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."

"Lodges are essential to giving our seniors the best possible care close to home as they age," said MLA for Banff-Cochrane Ron Casey. "We continue to build Alberta through investments in vital infrastructure such as the Bow River Lodge, which will make a big difference for residents and support future additions to provide more seniors with a comfortable place to call home."

The Bow River Lodge project received a total of $8.46 million from the Governments of Canada and Alberta. Once complete, the project will provide more affordable housing for low-income seniors, as well as enhanced care services to support aging-in-place.

"Bow Valley Regional Housing is committed to providing appropriate housing services to the Bow Valley region seniors and residents of modest means who struggle to secure such accommodations," said Robert Haney, Board Chair of Bow Valley Regional Housing. "This redevelopment supports the first phase of our ongoing strategic planning goal of delivering aging-in-place accommodations in the Bow Corridor. It will include a renewal and modernization of our aging seniors lodge, as well as a new amenity/service hub and a modest increase to residential rooms."

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

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. 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. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing. 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. Economic Action Plan 2013 continues 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. More than 146,769 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013.

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 exceeded its original goal of 11,000 units in September 2012. 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.