Joint Government Funding Will Bring New Affordable Housing to Rimbey

RIMBEY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - May 21, 2014) - More affordable housing options will soon be available for seniors in Rimbey thanks to an investment from the Governments of Canada and Alberta. Parkland Manor currently contains 63 units which will be renovated into 37 larger units with an additional 40 new units to be added to the facility.

Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Westaskiwin, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with Greg Weadick, Minister of Municipal Affairs made the funding announcement today.

"Funding renovation projects like this one is a great way to get the local economy moving, because it puts construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly," said MP Calkins. "These units will be more than just safe and affordable places to live. They will be key to a better life for the residents who will call them home".

"The Government of Alberta's continued investment in rural lodges ensures seniors receive the best possible care close to home," said Greg Weadick, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "The room upgrades and additions to Parkland Manor will make a big difference for residents and will provide more seniors with a comfortable place to call home."

"We are excited about this announcement and the positive impact it will have for the region. This project has been a long time in the making and the Rimoka Housing Foundation is thrilled that we can now focus on the best future for our residents. We look forward to working with government and our stakeholders to renew our lodge spaces in Rimbey that will ultimately give our residents a better quality of life and continue to be a great community asset for the next generation of seniors." said Paul McLauchlin, Board Chair for Rimoka Housing Foundation.

Parkland Manor will receive $11.2 million in joint funding from the Governments of Canada and Alberta with an additional $2.1 million in funding from the province through Alberta Social Housing Corporation surplus earnings, for a total of $13.3 million. This funding comes as a result of the $121 million Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 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 600,000 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. Close to 177,600 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to December 31, 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. Housing support to those in need is helping to build strong communities and is part of the Building Alberta Plan. For more information on Alberta's housing support, visit http://municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/housing.cfm.

The Rimoka Housing Foundation provides senior and social housing services in the County of Ponoka, the Town of Ponoka, and the Town of Rimbey.

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.