Governments of Canada and Manitoba Celebrate 34 New Affordable Co-Op Housing Units for Seniors in Brandon

BRANDON, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Jan. 20, 2012) - The Governments of Canada and Manitoba today announced $2.03 million in joint funding for a new affordable co-op housing development. The 34 units will enhance housing quality and accessibility for seniors in Brandon. Celebrations took place at a groundbreaking ceremony.

The announcement was made by Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Drew Caldwell, MLA for Brandon East, on behalf of Kerri Irvin-Ross, Manitoba Minister of Housing and Community Development.

"Our Government is dedicated to assisting those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in this housing project in Brandon," said MP Tweed. "The new units are safe and affordable, and help to enhance the lives of seniors who call them home."

"This is a wonderful investment to announce during The UN International Year of the Co-operative," said Caldwell. "Members of housing co-operatives can enjoy the freedom of their individual housing unit while benefiting from the social support of being part of a co-op community. Our government continues to invest in a range of housing and support options that allow older Manitobans to age with independence and dignity."

The building, to be located at 620 McDiarmid Drive in Brandon, will be four storeys high and consist of 14 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom units. The Housing Co-Op, developed with the Western Manitoba Seniors Non-Profit Housing Co-operative Ltd. will also be receiving rent supplement assistance from the province to allow six of the units to be rented on a rent geared to income basis. Total project cost is estimated at more than $5.8 million. Construction is expected to begin within a month. Recently, Manitoba Housing and Community Development issued a $10 million province-wide request for proposals for construction of 150 new independent and supported-living seniors housing units. The Western Manitoba Seniors Non-Profit Housing Co-Operative Ltd. initiative is the first of the Manitoba projects to be announced.

The project received $2.03 million in funding through the amended Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Agreement. Under the Agreement, the federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to an overall investment of $176 million for affordable housing throughout Manitoba.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 615,000 households living in existing social housing. In Manitoba, this represents some 41,250 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 Manitoba's Long-Term Housing Strategy, HOMEWorks! which was introduced in 2009, the Province of Manitoba, with the financial assistance of the Government of Canada, continues to make significant investments in the development of social and affordable housing. The province promised the delivery of 1500 affordable housing units across the province and has already committed to the development of over 900 units. HOMEWorks! supports ALLAboard, Manitoba's Poverty Reduction strategy by increasing the supply of quality, affordable housing for low-income Manitobans. More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

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