Canada's Economic Action Plan creates jobs and improves social housing in
Ontario

BARRIE, ON, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada announced today that 13 housing co-operatives located in Ontario will receive more than $2 million, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

The announcement was made by Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth," said MP Patrick Brown. "Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like this one, will not only improve the quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable, but it will also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

The Government of Canada, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy-efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

As of February 1, 2010, CMHC is accepting applications from eligible project sponsors for the remaining $75 million funding for Year 2 of Canada's Economic Action Plan. Sponsor groups can apply online or through the mail. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy-efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

The housing co-operatives that will receive contributions from the Government of Canada being announced today are:

    
    Gloucester, Birchwood Meadow Housing Co-operative            $386,182
    Sault Ste. Marie, Cambrian Co-operative Housing Corp.        $316,215
    Thunder Bay, Castlegreen Co-operative Inc.                   $239,300
    Thunder Bay, Cataraqui Cooperative Homes Inc.                $ 92,689
    Ottawa, Elmvale Housing Co-operative Inc.                    $246,505
    Timmins, Genesis Housing Co-operative Corp.                  $152,150
    North Bay, Genesis Housing Co-operative                      $142,102
    Sudbury, Place Verchères                                     $138,400
    Sudbury, Robin's Nest Co-operative Homes Inc.                $133,927
    Ottawa, Sandy Hill Housing Co-operative                      $235,405
    Sudbury, The Bob and Kay Carlin Co-operative                 $432,586
    Barrie, Three Links Co-operative Housing                     $180,413
    North Bay, La Co-op d'habitation la Seigneurie               $ 34,207
    

"In the spirit of co-operation, Three Links Co-operative Housing will continue to strive to provide quality affordable housing to future generations," said Denise Cornish, Board of Director Member,Three Links Co-operative Housing. "Thanks to the Government of Canada and CMHC, for without the grant this work could not have been completed,"

"We congratulate and thank the federal government, Minister Finley and CMHC for making a sound investment to renovate and retrofit these non-profit housing co-operatives," said Patrick Newman, Ontario Regional Director on the board of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. "This is an excellent example of stimulus that works; it will create and preserve jobs and protect a valuable source of affordable housing for vulnerable Canadians."

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 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 further information: Media inquiries: Stephen Derksen, Consultant, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [phone]; Charles Sauriol, CMHC Media Relations, [phone]; Michelle Bakos, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]