Carmacks and Watson Lake Receive Funding to Support Affordable Housing Needs

Logo: Government of Canada (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Logo: Yukon Government (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

WHITEHORSE, July 5, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Yukon will provide funding support to Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation and a landlord of Watson Lake to renovate and create affordable rental housing projects in Carmacks and Watson Lake.

The federal and territorial government support will allow for the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation to upgrade eight rental units and an additional unit that will benefit from a portable water system. This investment will support adequate, safe, affordable housing for Yukoners.

A private landlord will also receive funding to construct a duplex in Watson Lake. The new building will consist of a three-bedroom rental and a two-bedroom rental targeted for low income tenants.

Quotes:

The Government of Canada is committed to making a real difference in the lives of the residents of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation, and we are proud to work with our partners in the Yukon in delivering this funding. We are collaborating with our territorial counterparts, First Nations groups and private sector partners in an innovative way to make adequate, safe and affordable housing a reality for those in-need in the Yukon. Having worked for Watson Lake, and determined that the shortage of housing was an impediment to their economic development, I am especially happy to be able to make this announcement."
–Member of Parliament for Yukon, the Honourable Larry Bagnell on behalf of Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos

"These new projects highlight the importance of partnerships with First Nations, community members and the federal government, and address real and ongoing local housing needs. I look forward to celebrating more partnerships and innovative housing solutions in Yukon in the near future that will enhance Yukon's economy and build healthy communities and people."
– Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation Pauline Frost

Quick Facts:

• The governments of Canada and Yukon provided $420,000 towards Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation projects through Yukon Housing Corporation's (YHC's) First Nation Partnership Program as well as $100,000 through YHC's Affordable Housing Construction Program for the Watson Lake project. These projects are funded under the Affordable Housing Construction Program through the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
• The First Nation Partnership Program is designed to provide assistance to First Nation Governments, First Nation Development Corporations and First Nation housing providers for the construction of new housing, the renovation/rehabilitation of existing housing and provision of rent supplements on newly constructed units.
• The Affordable Housing Construction Program is designed to support developers and rental housing providers increase the supply of affordable housing in Yukon communities. The program is applicable for all communities outside of Whitehorse.
• Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of its operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• The Yukon Housing Corporation was established in 1972 under the Housing Corporation Act. Yukon Housing Corporation has a broad mandate to address the housing needs of Yukoners, and develops and administers a variety of programs and services that supports this mandate, including: loans; grants; building science research; education programs; staff housing and social housing.

Learn more: Yukon Housing Corporation, CMHC

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Émilie Gauduchon, Press Secretary, Office of Minister Duclos, 819-654-5546, [email protected]; Sunny Patch, Cabinet Communications, 867-393-7478, [email protected], Tim Sellars, Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation, 867-456-6802, [email protected], Young Ong, Public Affairs, CMHC, 403-515-2962, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca