Governments of Canada and Alberta Invest in New Affordable Housing for Seniors In Bassano

BASSANO, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - March 27, 2015) - The Governments of Canada and Alberta are helping support low-income seniors in Bassano through a joint investment of some $9.6 million. This funding will go toward 40 new, affordable housing units in a planned seniors' care facility that will replace the original Playfair Lodge, constructed in 1980.

LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat, 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 representing Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater, made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• The existing Playfair Lodge will be replaced by a new seniors' care facility that will include 40 lodge units and 34 supportive living units for seniors.
  
  
• The Governments of Canada and Alberta are jointly contributing $9,600,000 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.
  
  
• The new facility will be owned by the Newell Foundation, which will contribute some $13 million to the project.
  
  
• The 34 supportive living units will be funded by the Government of Alberta.
  
  
• Newell Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 1960 by the Government of Alberta to supply affordable housing to functionally independent, healthy senior citizens.
  
  

Quotes:

"The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with all levels of government and the Newell Foundation to provide quality, affordable housing through the development of Playfair Lodge. This project will benefit Bassano by developing needed housing for seniors in this community." - MP LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat

"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