Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category

Moishe Alexander – Affordable Seniors’ Housing Underway in Lumby

Affordable Housing, British Columbia, disabilities | Posted by admin
Jun 15 2010

Canadian Funding Corp and Moishe Alexander have been studying the CMHC initiative to create affordable housing in Lumby. The process is intriguing.

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, gathered today to celebrate the construction of Monashee Place, a 16-unit modular housing development for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities.

“The Government of Canada is helping Canadian seniors during these tough economic times by providing more than $1.1 million for this project through Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan – Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Here in Lumby, this achievement gives hope to seniors who need quality affordable housing that meets their needs, while creating local jobs.”

“The Province is providing approximately $1 million towards the development of 16 homes for low-income seniors and people with disabilities in Lumby,” said Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “Constructed in British Columbia, these energy-efficient modular homes are an important part of the Province’s ongoing commitment to providing more affordable housing solutions for British Columbians in need.”

Through an amendment to the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments are contributing a combined total of approximately $2.1 million for 16 Seniors’ Rental Housing (SRH) units. The Village of Lumby will be providing the development cost charges for these homes. The Lumby & District Senior Citizens Housing Society (LDSCHS) and the Village of Lumby jointly provided the land, valued at approximately $300,000.

“Lumby has a growing number of seniors and these new homes will offer our seniors more access to much-needed affordable housing options so that they can continue to live in the community they helped build,” said Mayor Kevin Acton, Village of Lumby.

The LDSCHS will manage and operate the 16 SRH apartments. The society currently operates Saddle Mountain, a 40-unit, low-income independent living seniors housing complex located immediately adjacent to the Monashee Place site.

“Our society values this initiative to enhance the quality of life for Lumby seniors through the construction of affordable rental homes,” said Judy Gibbs, chairperson of Lumby & District Senior Citizens Housing Society. “We would like to recognize our government partners for their collaboration in making this project a reality.”

The Seniors’ Rental Housing (SRH) initiative is a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia. The SRH initiative will provide $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop up to 1,000 new affordable rental housing units, which will help to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments will provide matching contributions of $61.79 million.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. It provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for housing for low-income seniors and $75 million for housing for persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

The Province of British Columbia’s $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, helping to build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province and stimulating local economies across B.C.

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Official Launch of Demonstration Phase for Green Dream Home — EQuilibrium™ Housing Project in Kamloops, British Columbia

Affordable Housing, British Columbia, Community Service | Posted by admin
Jun 15 2010

The Government of Canada announced the official launch of the demonstration phase for the Green Dream Home, an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home in Kamloops, British Columbia.

The Green Dream Home is the first of two Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) EQuilibrium™ Housing Initiative demonstration homes to be completed and opened for public tours in British Columbia, and the eighth to open across Canada.

cmhc - kamloops - alexanderThe home was built by Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior (CHBA CI) and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) as part of CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, which encourages builders and developers to build the next generation of sustainable housing in Canada.

Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo, attending on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for CMHC, was joined by Darryl Caunt, President, CHBA CI, and Hank Bangma, Residential Construction Instructor, School of Trades & Technology ,TRU, along with sponsors and supporters to celebrate the launch.

“The Government of Canada is proud to work with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior and Thompson Rivers University on their collaborative effort to design and build the Green Dream Home,” said Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo. “This forward-looking project demonstrates how we can build homes that conserve energy and resources, and reduce pollutant emissions.”

EQuilibrium™ demonstration homes are designed to be healthy to live in, highly energy and resource efficient, produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis, and have very low environmental impact. To achieve this, the Green Dream Home combines state-of-the-art energy-efficient design and construction techniques with renewable energy production.

“We have been partnering with Thompson Rivers University for 19 years, building a training home to give students hands-on real-life experience,” said Darryl Caunt, President, CHBA CI.

“The EQuilibrium™ Initiative was an opportunity to take the training house build to the next level, and it has been a great adventure.”

“This is our ’platinum project’ in the construction area and each year students plead to be in the class of trainees chosen to be a part of this build,” said Lindsay Langill, Dean of the School of Trades and Technology, TRU. “Parents often tell me that having their son or daughter be a part of such a project has given them direction and positively changed their lives.”

The Green Dream Home Project team is one of many builder/developer teams across Canada to have turned design concepts into real homes as part of CMHC’s national EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative. All CMHC EQuilibrium™ Housing projects are open for public and professional audiences for demonstration, and then monitored for performance for one year, once occupied.

CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative offers a new approach to housing in Canada. It strives to balance our housing needs with those of the environment. It brings together — under one roof — the principles of occupant health and comfort, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, resource and water conservation, reduced environmental impact and affordability.

CMHC has worked closely with many stakeholders to develop and establish EQuilibrium™ Housing. In particular, CMHC has collaborated closely with Natural Resources Canada, which has contributed substantial research and development expertise and resources to advancing the initiative.

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant, healthy communities and cities across the country.

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Moishe Alexander Applauds New Affordable Housing in King City

Affordable Housing, Financing, Ontario | Posted by admin
Jun 15 2010

Ground was broken today for 39 new affordable housing rental units for seniors living on low income in the Township of King. The project received $4.7 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. Moishe Alexander is very please by this turn of events.

The Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, Senator for Ontario, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Dr. Helena Jaczek, Member of Provincial Parliament for Oak Ridges – Markham, on behalf of Jim Bradley, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Bill Fisch, York Region Chairman and CEO, along with Margaret Black, Mayor, Township of King, made the announcement.

“Through the second year of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada remains committed to helping seniors in Ontario and throughout the country during these tough economic times,” said Senator Di Nino. “Projects like this one are providing safe, affordable housing to many residents in this community while creating jobs and stimulating our economy.”

“The McGuinty government is committed to meeting the housing needs of the people in our communities that need it the most,” said MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek. “This 39 unit expansion will improve the lives of the seniors living in Kingview Court, it will generate new jobs and it will also support local businesses in King City.”

“Through the expansion of Kingview Court, York Region will continue to fulfil the goal of providing housing services that benefit our residents,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “The upgrades to the building will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, maintaining York Region’s plan to build caring and safe communities for our residents and growing for a sustainable future.”

“By building on existing resources at Kingview Court in the Township of King, more residents will be able to live in and enjoy their community longer,” said Township of King Mayor Margaret Black. “This exciting development not only will create greater access to affordable housing, it will provide an opportunity to improve current units through renovations, upgrades and the installation of an elevator for increased accessibility.”

The 39 unit expansion project at 90 Dew Street received $4.7 million in funding. The federal and provincial funding is complemented by $2.9 million in municipal financial incentives.

The Government of Canada wants to ensure that Canadians on fixed incomes can live with independence and dignity and remain in their communities, close to family and friends. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

In 2009, Ontario allocated a combined federal and provincial investment of $704 million for the renovation of social housing, and $540 million for the creation of new affordable housing. This investment is part of the Open Ontario plan, and will generate an estimated 23,000 jobs over the course of the program, while strengthening local economies across the province. To date, Ontario has approved more than $465 million for construction-ready projects, which will provide affordable housing for low-income families, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, and $351.9 million for repairs benefiting some 148,000 social housing units. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visit www.ontario.ca/housing.

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