QUÉBEC CITY, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 23, 2011) - Editor's Note - A photo will be available on Marketwire's website.

The Government of Canada announced today that 116 housing co­operatives and non-profit organizations located in Quebec will receive nearly $9 million through Canada's Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

The announcement was made at Les Habitations St-André by the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister for La Francophonie and Minister Responsible for the Québec Region, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is taking concrete action to ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth," said Minister Verner. "Funding the renovation and retrofit projects announced today will help improve the quality of life for the residents of Les Habitations St-André, while stimulating the economy and creating jobs in the Québec area and across the country."

The Government of Canada, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

The housing co-operatives and non-profit projects that will receive contributions from the Government of Canada are outlined in the attached backgrounder.

"The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada) is the organized voice of the Canadian Co­operative housing movement," said CHF Canada Executive Director Nicholas Gazzard. "The federal government has responded to the financial needs we identified with a stimulus funding program, which will help to ensure that present and future residents have a safe, comfortable home for years to come."

"The Mouvement coopératif en habitation in Quebec is very pleased with this federal government initiative. In addition to providing economic stimulus, this initiative assists in the renovation of Quebec's co-operative housing stock for the benefit of the members and the preservation of our collective heritage," said Louis-Philippe Duperré, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Confédération québécoise des coopératives d'habitation (CQCH).

"The Réseau québécois des OSBL d'habitation supports the Renovation and Retrofit of Social Housing Initiative of Canada's Economic Action Plan and applauds the efforts of the Government of Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to meet the renovation needs of housing NPOs," added François Vermette, Executive Director of the Réseau québécois des OSBL d'habitation.

The Chairman of Les Habitations St-André indicated he was pleased with the federal contribution, which allowed the organization to renovate the buildings and enhance the quality of life of the residents. "This significant financial contribution will help us lower our energy costs, while improving the comfort of our residents," said Claude Lantier, Chairman of Les Habitations St-André.

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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.

BACKGROUNDER

The housing co-operatives and non-profit organizations that will receive contributions from the Government of Canada being announced today are:

Montréal

Appartements Brownsburg-Lachute Inc.	$4,961
Coopérative d'habitation Au Fil de l'eau	$14,300
Coopérative d'habitation Au Pied de la Montagne	$205,804
Coopérative d'habitation Belle Étoile	$49,774
Coopérative d'habitation Champêtre de Greenfield Park	$46,396
Coopérative d'habitation De Jouvence	$18,004
Coopérative d'habitation De la Petite Bourgogne	$133,905
Coopérative d'habitation De l'Abri – 210 St-Charles	$30,509
Coopérative d'habitation De l'Abri – 372 Mercier	$21,108
Coopérative d'habitation De l'Abri – 83 Collin	$22,462
Coopérative d'habitation De l'Abri – 7e Avenue	$13,997
Coopérative d'habitation De l'Abri – 400 Laurier	$16,818
Coopérative d'habitation Du 3055 des Érables	$6,817
Coopérative d'habitation Du Bord du Fleuve	$42,760
Coopérative d'habitation Du Verseau	$66,188
Coopérative d'habitation Gens du Pays	$170,731
Coopérative d'habitation Grandchasou	$27,611
Coopérative d'habitation La Basse Cour	$125,049
Coopérative d'habitation La Clairière	$149,012
Coopérative d'habitation La Détente	$123,757
Coopérative d'habitation La Galerie de Montréal	$134,500
Coopérative d'habitation La Petite Cité (Montréal)	$106,143
Coopérative d'habitation La Verdure	$69,011
Coopérative d'habitation La Villa des Arcades	$15,524
Coopérative d'habitation L'Amitié de Verdun	$34,572
Coopérative d'habitation Le Coin du Nord	$280,389
Coopérative d'habitation Les Colonnes	$66,607
Coopérative d'habitation Les Dynamiques	$80,150
Coopérative d'habitation Les Girardins	$28,501
Coopérative d'habitation L'Orient	$31,412
Coopérative d'habitation Maison du Rêve	$89,317
Coopérative d'habitation Malgré Tout	$26,896
Coopérative d'habitation Montcalm Premier	$23,365
Coopérative d'habitation Place des Érables	$69,376
Coopérative d'habitation Pointe du Lac – Narcisse	$6,479
Coopérative d'habitation Rayons d'Espoir	$33,415
Coopérative d'habitation Sourire à la Vie	$417,645
Coopérative d'habitation Ste-Famille de Montréal	$11,664
Coopérative d'habitation St-Gabriel – Phase 2	$8,466
Coopérative d'habitation St-Gabriel – Phase 1	$7,817
Coopérative d'habitation St-Gabriel – Phase 3	$6,660
Coopérative d'habitation St-Louis de Gonzague	$23,980
Coopérative d'habitation Unie des 46	$307,636
Centre Marc Vanier Inc.	$5,079
St-Patrick Development Foundation	$506,615
Habitation Logique St-Jacques	$13,408
Habitation Giraldeau Desjardins Inc. – Montigny	$2,258
Les habitations Grignon Inc. – Lajeunesse	$22,488
Habitations Hélène Desportes	$52,322
Habitations Universellement Accessibles (Habitations Logiques St-Joseph)	$84,807
Habitat Famille et Troisième Âge	$151,454
Maison du Jardin Chertsey	$28,431
Maison du Réconfort	$32,985
Les Résidences Hamelin Inc.	$26,666
Société de logements populaires de Laval	$31,248
Société d'habitation 55-65 Jeanne-Mance – 65 Jeanne-Mance	$36,378
Société d'habitation 55-65 Jeanne-Mance – 55 Jeanne-Mance	$33,190
Société d'habitation Village Jeanne-Mance	$50,671
Société d'habitation communautaire Logique Inc.	$80,513

Québec

Coopérative d'habitation Bonne Entente – Chateauguay	$34,705
Coopérative d'habitation Canton Batoche	$59,900
Coopérative d'habitation Côte du Passage – Phase 1	$51,136
Coopérative d'habitation Du Faux-Lockwell	$26,215
Coopérative d'habitation Du Grenier de Québec	$15,406
Coopérative d'habitation Faubourg St-Louis	$598,927
Coopérative d'habitation Grandir en Ville	$44,613
Coopérative d'habitation De la Chevrotière	$234,767
Coopérative d'habitation La Fameuse	$44,016
Coopérative d'habitation La Renaissance	$30,960
Coopérative d'habitation L'Archange	$215,217
Coopérative d'habitation Le Mont Calme	$60,900
Coopérative d'habitation Le Petit Matin – 6e rue	$36,079
Coopérative d'habitation Le Petit Matin – Bibaud	$14,200
Coopérative d'habitation Le Petit Matin – 3e Avenue	$47,751
Coopérative d'habitation Le Petit Matin – Canardière 1	$22,970
Coopérative d'habitation Le Petit Matin – Canardière 2	$32,286
Coopérative d'habitation Le Petit Matin – 8e rue	$31,299
Coopérative d'habitation Le Petit Matin – 3e rue	$42,027
Coopérative d'habitation Les Abeilles	$135,385
Coopérative d'habitation Les Coopérants de L'Ancienne-Lorette	$103,059
Coopérative d'habitation Les Habitations Sympathiques – Boisseau	$73,725
Coopérative d'habitation L'Orchidée	$37,157
Coopérative d'habitation Ludovica de Québec	$554,955
Coopérative d'habitation L'Unisson	$4,019
Coopérative d'habitation Mon Logis – Bayard	$31,910
Coopérative d'habitation Mon Logis – St-François	$26,895
Coopérative d'habitation Mon Logis – Chevrière II	$44,839
Coopérative d'habitation Mon Logis – Chevrière I	$37,372
Coopérative d'habitation Mon Logis – St-Vallier	$121,722
Coopérative d'habitation Mon Logis – Des Récollets	$55,031
Coopérative d'habitation Montmorency	$203,278
Coopérative d'habitation Nordique	$53,949
Coopérative d'habitation Sicotte	$29,189
Coopérative d'habitation Ste-Catherine	$70,687
Coopérative d'habitation St-Maxime de Scott	$86,737
Coopérative d'habitation Terrasse du Vieux Fort	$209,704

Sherbrooke

Coopérative d'habitation Du Communord	$16,800
Coopérative d'habitation Du Palier	$37,846
Coopérative d'habitation Du Vieux Sherbrooke	$30,750
Coopérative d'habitation La Christinoise	$144,295
Coopérative d'habitation Mercier d'Asbestos	$57,446

Saguenay

Coopérative d'habitation Quartier Latin

$33,529

Abitibi

Pavillon d'hébergement de Barraute Inc.

$33,446

Gatineau

Coopérative d'habitation Le 79 Boucherville	$56,611
Coopérative d'habitation Le Château	$45,837
Communauté Autochtone de Maniwaki	$52,789
Les Habitations Mont-du-Rocher Inc. – Phase 2	$49,490

Trois-Rivières

Coopérative d'habitation Entre-Nous – St-Prosper	$42,654
Coopérative d'habitation Entre-Nous – Frigon	$39,240
Coopérative d'habitation L'Entretoit	$41,036

Gaspésie–Bas-Saint-Laurent

Corporation d'habitation de Cabano Inc. 16 St-Laurent	$80,705
Les Habitations Lafrance	$29,166
Les Habitations Logival Inc. – Phase 1	$196,768
Habitation Pointe-à-la-Croix	$19,664
Les Habitations Ste-Luce	$22,907
Habitat Causapscal Inc.	$85,028

RENOVATION AND RETROFIT OF EXISTING SOCIAL HOUSING ADMINISTERED BY CMHC

The Government of Canada's commitment to affordable housing is significant.

Overall, Canada's Economic Action Plan provides a total of $7.8 billion to build quality housing, stimulate construction, create jobs, encourage home ownership and enhance the energy efficiency of Canadian homes. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will deliver more than $2 billion to provide new and renovated housing for more than 200,000 Canadian households.

Co-operative and non-profit housing represents an important form of housing for many low and moderate-income households. A portion of the existing units are aging and require repairs and upgrading to meet modern energy efficiency and accessibility standards.

As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government will invest $1 billion to renovate and retrofit existing social housing. Of this amount, $850 millions will be used for existing social housing projects administered by provinces and territories, which are in receipt of annual Federal funding. Provinces and territories are required to cost-share this funding on a 50-50 basis and are responsible for program design and delivery.

The remainder of the $1 billion, $150 million will be delivered over two years to address the needs of existing social housing units directly funded and administered by CMHC. This $150 million is targeted, under the Renovation and Retrofit of Existing Social Housing Initiative (the "Renovation and Retrofit Initiative"), to off-reserve federally funded and administered social housing units currently subject to an operating agreement under a National Housing Act social housing program. The following criteria apply to the $150 million being delivered by CMHC:

• This initiative will help address the demand for renovation, general improvement, energy efficiency upgrade or conversion, regeneration and modifications for persons with disabilities.
• Applicants must have the capacity to undertake work quickly and must meet all other program eligibility criteria; and
• Priority will be given to sponsors who have managed their projects well and who do not have sufficient funds in their replacement reserve to carry out repairs.

Eligible repairs include, but are not limited to repairs to existing building components, replacement or construction of worn out major building components, major building services, basic facilities and equipment.