Archive for March, 2009

The CFC Reports on Blue Heron Co-op in Ottawa, Ontario

Affordable Housing, Canada, Ontario | Posted by admin
Mar 29 2009

The city of Ottawa has created sustainable and affordable housing by incorporating energy saving features for families in low and moderate income brackets. The Canadian Funding Corporation reviews a report from the CMHC about the Blue Heron Co-op.

Tenacity paid off for a small group of housing co-op members, who, after 10 years of work and determination built the first housing co-op in Ontario in nearly a decade. Located in Ottawa’s western community of Kanata, Blue Heron Co-op sets new standards for sustainable building in affordable housing by incorporating energy- and water-saving features. The Co-op’s vision and support for innovation in energy efficiency helped land its architect the local Homebuilders Association’s very first award for Sustainable Housing.

The Affordable Housing Solution

Blue Heron Co-op, which is close to schools and community services, opened in September, 2006. The 83-unit project has 58 apartments and 25 townhouses for families with children and single people. Households pay housing charges that are either geared to income, 70 per cent of the average market rent, or average market rent.

The Co-op incorporates a range of sustainable building features,such as a computerized heating and cooling system, good quality windows, a well-designed energy conserving envelope, low-wattage light bulbs and motion-sensing light fixtures in common spaces. A high-efficiency gas boiler and chiller heat and cool a water loop system with in-unit heat pumps also reduces energy consumption. The shared laundry room has water- and energy-saving washers and natural gas clothes dryers. All units have water-conserving toilets and plumbing fixtures. Such as a computerized heating and cooling system, good quality windows, a well-designed energy conserving envelope, low-wattage light bulbs and motion-sensing light fixtures in common spaces. A high-efficiency gas boiler and chiller heat and cool a water loop system with in-unit heat pumps also reduces energy consumption. The shared laundry room has water- and energy-saving washers and natural gas clothes dryers. All units have water-conserving toilets and plumbing fixtures.

March provided a long-term lease on its surplus land for property to build the Co-op. Blue Heron Co-operative Homes received about $2.4 million from CMHC and the province of Ontario through the Affordable Housing Initiative. The City of Ottawa provided $3.2 million in financial incentives and a loan guarantee to assist with pre-development costs. Other local co-ops—such as McLean Co-op in southern Ottawa—are using Blue Heron Co-op’s sustainable building features as a model to develop affordable housing that meets the needs of the community.

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The Canadian Funding Corporation Says That Shelter Helps More Women and Children in Cobourg

Affordable Housing, British Columbia, Canada, Saskatchewan | Posted by admin
Mar 25 2009

At a groundbreaking ceremony today, Northumberland Services for Women (NSW) celebrated the start of construction of their new and expanded shelter. NSW provides a safe environment and services for women and their children in crisis as a result of family violence and abuse.

The expanded shelter will offer 19 emergency beds for women and their children in Northumberland County. The facility was made possible with funding of $456,000 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP).

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Rick Norlock, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “The creation of these units will provide women and their children with access to safe housing and the support they need to help them to start a new page in their lives.“

In addition, $77,685 in municipal donations and in-kind services helped to support the project.

“Congratulations to Northumberland Services for Women for having the vision and will to commence the actual structure of their new facility,” said Cobourg Mayor, Peter G. Delanty. “This will allow NSW to better serve the needs of those who desperately need our help and understanding.”

Expansions to the east, west and south wings of the facility will offer a welcoming space where clients can feel safe and comfortable, and access the NSW’s support programs and services, including emergency relocation, counseling, emergency transportation, a 24-hour crisis line, 2-hour free legal advice, educational programming, and a children’s shelter.

“We appreciate the tremendous assistance we received from all levels of government, service groups, companies and many individuals,” said NSW Board Chair, Barry Gutteridge. “Their kind contributions have helped this expansion to happen and more women and their children in crisis in Northumberland County will have a safe place to come to for emergency services.”

Marty Lapedus says that Northumberland Services for Women has been offering quality, emergency housing and support services to over 600 women and their children every year since their first shelter opened in 1985 at 355 Division Street in Cobourg.

CMHC’s Shelter Enhancement Program offers financial assistance for the repair, rehabilitation and improvement of existing shelters for women and their children, youth or men who are victims of family violence, as well as for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing where needed.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency for over 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.

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CFC Reports on: $1.2 M Supportive Housing for Women Opens in Vanderhoof

Affordable Housing, British Columbia, Canada, Ontario, Quebec | Posted by admin
Mar 25 2009

A new housing complex in Vanderhoof, B.C., will provide shelter for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

March 18, 2009 — Representatives from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Province of British Columbia, and community partners celebrated the official opening today of the Omineca Safe Home Society’s Supportive Housing Complex, a $1.2 million development helping to break the cycle of homelessness and abuse for women and children in Vanderhoof.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in British Columbia and across Canada for those who need it most,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “The creation of these units will provide women and their children with access to safe housing and the support they need to help them to start a new page in their lives.”

Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Government of Canada provided $600,000 to the Omineca Safe Home Society under the Shelter Enhancement Program. This program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women and their children, youth or men who are victims of family violence, and provides financial assistance for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing where needed.

The Province, through the Housing Endowment Fund, provided $350,000 to the Omineca Safe Home Society. The fund generates investment revenue of approximately $10 million a year, which is used to fund new ideas and support innovative housing solutions that meet the diverse housing needs of British Columbians.

“Omineca’s Supportive Housing Complex will provide stable housing for women and children who are fleeing abuse and are at risk of homelessness,” said John Rustad, MLA for Prince George – Omineca. “This Housing Endowment Fund project is an excellent example of how partnerships between the community and the provincial and federal government can address multiple community needs.”

Other funding partners include the Vancouver Foundation and the Real Estate Foundation of BC, each of whom provided $75,000, and various Vanderhoof businesses and community members who together provided a total contribution of $49,000.

The Omineca Safe Home Society provided the land valued at $30,400 as well as $90,000 in fundraising, donations and pledges. The society will integrate support services, such as counselling, job search support and life skills training, to help women and children move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing.

“This new development is an essential and important resource to the women in the Vanderhoof community,” said Sylvia Byron, agency co-ordinator, Omineca Safe Home Society. “The Supportive Housing Complex will provide women and children with a safe and caring environment from which they have the opportunity to move on to the next step in their lives.”

Moishe Alexander, CEO of Canadian Funding Corp says that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has been Canada’s national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country. The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will contribute more than $130 million towards affordable housing in B.C.

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 $2 billion for housing-related infrastructure.

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