Emergency Shelter Renovated in Moncton

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Oct. 14, 2011) - The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick celebrated today the completion of extensive retrofits and renovations at the House of Nazareth, a temporary emergency shelter for men, women and families in need.

Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Moncton — Dieppe — Riverview, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable Sue Stultz, New Brunswick Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Housing, made the announcement today.

"Our government is pleased to be a partner of this shelter," said Parliamentary Secretary Goguen. "The renovations to The House of Nazareth mean that families and individuals in need of a hand up will have a safe and supportive place to live, as well as the services they need to begin a new chapter in their lives."

"The House of Nazareth provides much needed refuge for those in our community in need of emergency assistance," said Social Development Minister Sue Stultz. "With the renovations complete, the individuals and families who use the shelter can work on rebuilding their lives in a safe and healthy environment. I am pleased we were able to work with our federal partners to support this project."

The House of Nazareth is located at 14 Clark Street in Moncton. The shelter received $240,623 for renovations through the two-year extension of the Affordable Housing Initiative Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The shelter consists of 30 beds located in five dormitories. Renovations included retrofits such as structural work, electrical, plumbing, heating and roofing repairs.

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years to build new and renovate existing social housing, plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

The amendment to the Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which implements the two year extension of the Affordable Housing Initiative as well as funding under Canada's Economic Action Plan brings $42.7 million in federal funding to the province. The Government of New Brunswick is matching that commitment for a total of $85.3 million to assist those in housing need and, in collaboration with other levels of government and community partners, to make various types of affordable housing programs possible.

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.ca/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.