Seniors Housing Complex Renovated in Grand Barachois

GRAND BARACHOIS, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Jan. 20, 2012) - The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick today announced the completion of extensive retrofits and renovations of the Appartements Barachois Inc. in Grand Barachois.

Funding in the amount of $225,000 was made available for the initiative 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 under the amended Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

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 provided $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

Repairs to the project included electrical work, roofing repairs, ventilation and energy improvements.

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Regional Minister for New Brunswick 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.

"The Government of Canada is proud to have contributed to this project through Canada's Economic Action Plan," said the Honourable Keith Ashfield. "These renovated ten units will provide quality, affordable housing for low-income seniors, and benefit the economic and social well-being of the Grand Barachois community."

"I am proud to help New Brunswickers care for their families by investing in improvements to affordable housing for seniors," said Social Development Minister Sue Stultz, who is also minister responsible for Seniors, Housing and Community Non-Profit Organizations. "The repairs and renovations not only improve the safety of the building but also the quality of life for the residents."

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 New Brunswick, this represents some 16,200 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.

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.