Over $3.4 Million Invested to Improve Low-Cost Rental Housing in Granby

GRANBY, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Sept. 26, 2014) - Representatives from the Governments of Canada and Quebec and the City of Granby were gathered today to celebrate the completion of the renovations at La Villa Saint-François, a low-cost rental housing project built in the 1970s that required investments of more than $3.4 million over the last two years.

The financial assistance provided through the replacement, modernization and improvement budget, under federal-provincial agreements, allowed for the rehabilitation of the 40 seniors' housing units and the common areas, as well as the performance of insulation and decontamination work, the upgrading of the electrical, heating, plumbing and sewage systems and the replacement of the balconies.

Three partners, namely, the Government of Canada ($1.7 million), through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Government of Quebec ($1.4 million), through the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ), and the City of Granby ($344,000), worked together to ensure that these renovations, led by the Office municipal d'habitation de Granby, would be carried out.

"I'm proud of our Government's investment in this project that ensures even more individuals are able to live in housing that meets their needs. These upgrades will help continue to provide safe and affordable homes," said Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development).

"Our Government attaches a great deal of importance to the housing conditions of Quebec residents, especially those of low-income households. In addition to improving the quality of life for citizens and ensuring that the social housing stock is in good condition, our actions bring about significant economic benefits, particularly by maintaining and creating jobs. That's why the Government of Quebec intends to continue investing in bringing low-cost rental housing up to standard," said Pierre Moreau, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister responsible for the Montérégie region and Minister responsible for the SHQ.

"It is important for the City of Granby to invest in social housing, as evidenced by our recent efforts. These include the planned construction of 24 social housing units for student parents that will be located near the Centre régional de formation intégré, as well as the Coopérative d'habitation La Passerelle project that will have 40 units reserved for semi-independent seniors," said Pascal Bonin, Mayor of Granby.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are invested each year by the federal and provincial governments in order to improve the condition of some 73,000 social housing in Quebec.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 600,000 households living in existing social housing, on- and off-reserve. In Quebec, this represents some 126,350 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in 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 helping Canadians to meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Twitter: @CMHC_ca

Société d'habitation du Québec

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Each year, thanks to its programs and many partners, the SHQ helps more than 230,000 Quebec households. For more information on the programs and services offered by the SHQ, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html. To find out more about its activities and achievements, get advice on housing and much more, follow the SHQ on social networks.

Facebook: SocietehabitationQuebec

Twitter: HabitationSHQ