New affordable seniors housing in Watson Lake

    WATSON LAKE, YT, July 25 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Yukon,
along with community partners, participated in a sod-turning today on a
$4.5-million, 12-unit housing development for seniors.
    The funding was made available as a result of a $60-million joint
investment under an amendment to the Canada-Yukon Affordable Housing Agreement
which includes funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and the Yukon
Government.
    The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of
the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation (CMHC), and Dennis Fentie, Premier of Yukon, made the
announcement.
    "The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing
available in Yukon and across Canada for those who need it most," said
Minister Toews. "Today's launch provides Watson Lake seniors with quality and
affordable rental housing that meets their needs."
    "Yukon is capitalizing on Canada's economic stimulus package, to the
benefit of residents, industry and communities. We are the first jurisdiction
to fully allocate this year's funding received under Canada's Economic Action
Plan," said Premier Fentie. "We're very pleased with the partnership
established with the Government of Canada, with construction already underway
throughout the territory."
    For this new seniors project, the Government of Canada is contributing
more than $4 million for 12 affordable housing units and Yukon Housing
Corporation is providing $450,000. The project will meet Yukon Housing
Corporation's SuperGreen Home energy standards and features Accommodating Home
standards to ensure a barrier-free interior and exterior living environment.
The project will enable seniors in Watson Lake to remain in their community.
    Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over
the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help
the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional
one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing
social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for
housing-related infrastructure.
    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. For more information on
Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For further information: Media Contact: Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary,
Office of Minister Finley, Tel.: [phone], Email:
[e-mail]; Nathalie Harwood, Communications, Yukon
Housing Corporation, Government of Yukon, Tel.: [phone], Email:
[e-mail]; Kimberlee Jones, Communications Consultant,
Prairie and Territories Business Centre, Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation, Tel.: [phone], Email: [e-mail]