MIDDLETON, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 10, 2012) - Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, 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 Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Minister of Community Services, celebrated today the official opening of Magee Drive, an affordable housing development for seniors and persons with disabilities in Middleton.

More than $2.4 million was made available for the construction of the new 15-unit development for seniors and persons with disabilities 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 $96 million under the amended Canada - Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

"Through Economic Action Plan 2012, our Government is taking concrete action to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said MP Kerr. "Funding projects like Magee Drive will not only improve the overall housing conditions for seniors and persons with disabilities in Middleton, but also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

"These homes represent a new start for many families, allowing them to live better, healthier lives while maintaining their independence," said Minister Peterson-Rafuse. "We have made significant investments in safe, affordable housing over the past three years helping over 240 senior households alone. Projects like these help shape and strengthen our communities".

Magee Drive consists of 15 units for seniors and persons with disabilities. This is the second phase of affordable seniors' housing on Magee Drive, with potential for more housing in the future. Phase one, with 15 row houses, was completed in 2003 with $2.2 million in federal and provincial support.

The energy-efficient units are barrier-free with wide halls and doorways, roll-in showers, and tile and laminate flooring. The buildings are designed to meet or exceed the LEED® Silver standard for energy and water use, and feature energy-efficient appliances and low-flow fixtures. The exterior is finished with a durable wood fibre and concrete product that is extremely low-maintenance.

More than $145 million has been invested in affordable housing in the province since 2009.

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 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Nova Scotia, this represents some 20,900 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 date, under the Affordable Housing Program, more than 1,900 affordable housing units have been created or preserved around Nova Scotia. For more information on these projects, visit www.gov.ns.ca/coms/affordablehousing.

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.