Posts Tagged ‘seniors’

The Canadian Funding Corp Reports on Bharat Bhavan Hostel located in Montréal, Quebec

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

The Bharat Bhavan Foundation has created affordable housing for retirees in the West Island of Montreal. The Canadian Funding Corporation reviews a report from the CMHC about the Bharat Bhavan Hostel.

Bharat Bhavan Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the social, economic, cultural, educational and spiritual development of its members. It offers a wide range of services, such as translation, help finding employment and French classes, to members of Montréal’s South Asian community. Bharat Bhavan Senior Hostels will offer multi-faith accommodation to retirees in the West Island of Montréal when it opens in July, 2008. The groundbreaking for residence attracted more than 100 people, which reflects well on the commitment of the community to the project. In a spirit of religious respect, leaders of the Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities also attended the ceremony and gave their blessing to the project.

The Affordable Housing Solution The Bharat Bhavan Foundation is overseeing construction of Bharat Bhavan Senior Hostels, which will have 30 fully furnished self-contained units. Rent for the units will be $1,250 a month for a single-occupancy room, less than the market rate for comparable units in the Montréal metropolitan area. The residence, next to the Bharat Bhavan Foundation community centre, includes a dining room, lounges, an office for medical visits and laundry facilities. Recreational services will be offered.

Moishe Alexander says that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) provided $20,000 Seed Funding ($10,000 grant and a $10,000 loan). This program offers financial assistance to potential housing providers who are in the early stages of developing an affordable housing proposal. The Bharat Bhavan Senior Hostels project also benefited from a $100,000 interest free Proposal Development Funding (PDF) loan. A PDF loan enables housing proponents to carry out the activities required to bring their proposal to the point where they can apply for mortgage financing. CMHC was also flexible in the terms for mortgage loan insurance. A total investment of more than $2,736,000 was required to develop this project.

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The Canadian Funding Corporation Reports on Armitage Gardens, New Market, Ontario

Affordable Housing, Alberta, Canada, Ontario, Quebec | Posted by admin
Mar 19 2009

The city of Newmarket is looking for cost-effective ways to provide assisted and affordable apartments for Seniors and people with disablilities. The Canadian Funding Corporation reviews a report from the CMHC about the Armitage Gardens Seniors Residence.

An unused wing of a health centre has become affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities. Armitage Gardens, in Newmarket in the Regional Municipality of York just north of Toronto, proved to be a cost-effective way of developing affordable housing. Originally, the Region planned to build new affordable housing, but the Newmarket Health Centre had a vacant wing, and it was more cost-effective to renovate than build.The renovated wing gives residents quick access to the Health Centre.

The Affordable Housing Solution Armitage Gardens has 58 apartments designed to meet the housing needs of seniors and people with disabilities. All the building’s common areas and apartments feature barrier-free design.Twenty-six units have enhanced accessibility, with automatic door openers, roll-in showers, and lowered kitchen counters and appliances.The rent for 52 of the units is geared-to-income (rents range between $350 and $400 per month), while six units are rented at market rate.

Internal hallways connect the complex to the Newmarket Health Centre, a longterm health care facility, allowing residents to visit family members who may be ill. The Health Centre’s kitchen also prepares meals for Armitage Gardens residents. The grounds are landscaped with mature trees, community gardens and a gazebo. Support services–including meal preparation, assistance with medications, personal care and housekeeping–are available at no cost.This allows residents to live independently while still receiving the assistance they need.

The Canadian Funding Corporation says that the total construction cost for Armitage Gardens was $8.4 million. Through the Affordable Housing Initiative CMHC and the province of Ontario provided a $1.56 million capital grant.The project also received 1.8 million through the CMHC Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) of which $1,044,000 was provided through RRAP Conversion to help cover the costs of converting the wing into housing.To meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities, $777,000 was contributed through RRAP Disabled to help cover costs of the project’s accessibility features. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care also provided support towards the project’s accessibility features.The Regional Municipality of York provided the property for the project, while the Town of Newmarket reduced development fees and charges.

Armitage Gardens is a good example of how all four levels of government can work together effectively to create affordable housing.The project won a CMHC Housing Award in 2006.

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