New Affordable Housing and Funding for the Renovation of Social Housing on the Island

CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwire - Aug. 17, 2011) - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Janice Sherry, Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, today attended the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Charlotte Court.

The Charlotte Court affordable housing development received funding in the amount of almost $1.5 million, which was made available through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $8.54 million under the amended Canada – Prince Edward Island Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

In addition, Minister Wong and Minister Sherry also announced today more than $1 million in funding for the renovations and retrofit of 272 existing social housing units in Prince Edward Island. The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

The investments in Charlotte Court include 48 new units created for seniors, 12 of which will be designated for seniors with disabilities. As well, the renovation of units across Prince Edward Island includes major exterior renovations to family housing units in Montague and Souris; bathroom upgrades in Georgetown; new cabinets in Charlottetown family housing; air exchange systems in most family housing units across the Island; roof replacements in O'Leary and Summerside seniors housing, and sidewalk and driveway upgrades at Spring Park Court Seniors Housing located in Charlottetown.

Canada's Economic Action Plan built on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

"This is an exciting day for the community, and I am delighted to be part of it", said Minister of State, Alice Wong. "Charlotte Court received funding of close to $1.5 million under Canada's Economic Action Plan to support construction of these 48 affordable housing units, a key to a better life for the residents that will call them home."

"The new Charlotte Court building allows seniors to live confidently, while feeling safe and at home in their modern residence. Residents now have access to additional square footage, private patios, a fitness room and community space, as well as many other exceptional services," said Minister Sherry. "Seniors will enjoy increased accessibility as 25 per cent of the units offer barrier-free living."

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. As part of this investment, the Affordable Housing Initiative and the federal renovation programs for low-income households were extended for two years, which represented some $3 million in federal funding for Prince Edward Island. A new agreement signed in July 2011 by both orders of government implements P.E.I.'s allocation of the remaining three years of the $1.9 billion, which amounts to a further $4.4 million in federal funding for P.E.I. residents in housing need.

The Provincial Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour is committed to helping seniors and persons with disabilities of Prince Edward Island reach their full potential. To this end the Department operates housing units across the province for seniors who need help finding affordable, appropriate homes. The Seniors' Housing program supports housing units in 35 communities across the province. Islanders aged 60 and older are eligible for assistance. The Province partners with the Government of Canada to provide this assistance.

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 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.