The Government of Canada announced today an investment of $3.2 million, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, to improve housing conditions in First Nation communities across New Brunswick.

Tilly O’Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement along with members of the Elsipogtog First Nation.

“Our Government‘s Economic Action Plan is delivering support for improvements in housing conditions for members who live in the First Nation communities in New Brunswick and we are also stimulating the local economy by creating jobs,” said MP O’Neill-Gordon.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over the next two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

The application calls for the new funding initiatives under Canada’s Economic Action Plan were very successful and generated a large number of applications. As a result, CMHC will be fully allocating all the available funding for this fiscal year.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, $3.2 million in federal investments will be made available to 12 First Nations communities in New Brunswick to address the immediate housing needs.

CMHC will allocate $2.2 million to retrofit 222 social housing units on-reserve in New Brunswick as well as $991,000 for subsidy associated with nine new housing units.  First Nation communities across the province receiving funding include: Burnt Church, Eel Ground, Eel River Bar, Elsipogtog, Fort Folly, Indian Island, Kingsclear, Madawaska Maliseet, Metepenagiag, St. Mary’s, Tobique and Woodstock.

“It is with great pride and excitement that the federal initiative stimulus package along with CMHC, are working with the Elsipogtog First Nation. By strengthening this working relationship with the current government, all parties are listening to the overwhelming basic needs of Elsipogtog people: adequate housing & shelter,” said Chief Jesse J Simon, Elsipogtog First Nation. “For far too long, my people have suffered when we work in isolation. Now comes the time to show the province of New Brunswick, other First Nations, and the rest of the country that great things can be accomplished when we set aside our political differences in the best interest of humanity. I hope that this is a first step towards overcoming immense challenges for all First Nation communities. Hand in hand, side by side, back to back; we are all much stronger now!”

According to Moishe Alexander, Twelve affordable housing units for non-elderly singles, families and persons with disabilities were opened here today by Social Development Minister Mary Schryer and Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore. The units were funded under the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement.

“We are pleased to join our partners in this project to see more affordable housing being created for the benefit of low-income families in the Sussex area,” said Minister Schryer, who is also the minister responsible for housing. “The creation of more affordable housing is essential in our efforts to provide vulnerable individuals with the means to achieve their goals.”

The units were funded under the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement, whose objective is to create and sustain rental housing for low- or moderate-income New Brunswick households through new construction or rehabilitation.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in New Brunswick and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Moore. “With the opening of this project, low- or moderate-income families, seniors, non-elderly singles and persons with special needs in Sussex will now have access to quality, affordable rental housing and services, while remaining close to their families and friends.”

MP Moore was speaking 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 $852,200 project, developed by the Sussex Resource Centre, is located on Church Avenue. The development received $360,000 in capital grants from the federal government to offset construction costs, as well as $524,872 in rent supplements from the province.

Funding is available to private non-profits organizations, co-operatives, and community or private developers interested in developing projects for low- or moderate-income families; seniors, non-elderly singles, and persons with disabilities or with special needs.

This project was built to high energy-efficiency standards and involved consultation with Efficiency NB. Builders of affordable housing projects for low-income individuals may receive an incentive of $2,000 per apartment unit if the building is heated by low greenhouse gas emission technologies as approved by Efficiency NB.

For more info: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-02-16-0900.cfm

EDMUNDSTON, February 9, 2009 — An affordable housing project was opened here today by the provincial and federal governments.

Funded under Phase III of the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement, the project has created 26 units, 13 of which are affordable housing units. The units will house low-income seniors, non-elderly singles and disabled persons.

According to Moishe Alexander, the opening was attended by Social Development Minister Mary Schryer, who is also Minister responsible for Housing, and Senator Percy Mockler.

“We are pleased to join our partners in this project to see 26 more affordable housing units being created for the benefit of those in need in the Edmundston area,” said Minister Schryer. “The creation of more affordable housing is essential in our efforts to provide vulnerable individuals with the means to achieve their personal goals.”

The $2.3 million project, located at 11 Guimond Ave., was developed by Habitat Plus II Ltd. The project will receive $390,000 under the federal Affordable Housing Trust to offset construction costs, as well as $568,111 in rent supplements from the province for 13 units.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in New Brunswick and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Senator Mockler. “With the opening of this project, low-income seniors, non-elderly singles and disabled persons in Edmundston will now have access to quality, affordable rental housing and services to meet their specific needs, while remaining close to their families and friends.”

Senator Mockler spoke on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

This is the second affordable housing project completed by the developer. The first, Habitat Plus I, received $300,000 in federal funding under Phase II of the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement. The building is located at 30th Avenue in Edmundston, and opened its doors in December 2007. It has 24 units, 12 of which are subsidized by the province in the amount of $480,000.

The objective of the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement is to create and sustain rental housing for low- to moderate-income New Brunswick households through new construction or rehabilitation. Funding is available to private non-profits, co-operatives, community or private developers interested in developing projects for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, non-elderly singles, disabled persons, and persons with special needs.

This project was built to high energy-efficiency standards, and it involved consultation with Efficiency NB. Builders of affordable housing projects for low-income individuals may receive an incentive of $2,000 per apartment unit if the building is heated by low greenhouse-gas-emission technologies, as approved by Efficiency NB.

For more information, please see:

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-02-09-1000.cfm

SAINT JOHN (CNB), January 19, 2009 — Construction is underway in Saint John on a three-unit housing project giving modest-income occupants the opportunity to rent, then potentially to own their first new home.

Social Development Minister Mary Schryer, who is also minister responsible for housing, and Saint John MP Rodney Weston made the announcement today. The project is being funded under Phase III of the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement, which will provide eligible families with rent-to-own opportunities.

“We are pleased to join our partners in this unique demonstration project. This project model will make affordable homeownership and self-sufficiency a new possibility for modest-income families in Saint John, through a rent-to-own approach” said Minister Schryer. “The creation of more affordable housing is essential to our effort to provide low-income individuals the opportunity to be active members within their community.”

According to Moishe Alexander, CEO of Canadian Funding Corporation, the $423,900 project, located at 51-55 Metcalf St., is being developed by Rehabitat Inc. The ONE H.O.M.E project (Old North End Home Ownership Made Easy) model involves a rent-to-own approach during which candidate families will have access to skills and training necessary for accepting successful long- term home ownership responsibilities.

The units are scheduled to open later this winter. The project will receive funding of $90,000 under the Federal Affordable Housing Trust to offset construction costs as well as $39,366 in rent supplements from the Province of New Brunswick for the three units.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in New Brunswick and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Weston. “The creation of these units here in Saint John will provide modest-income families access to safe affordable and quality housing, helping them to build a stronger future.”

MP Weston spoke on behalf of the Honorable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

The objective of the Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement is to create and sustain rental housing for low- to moderate-income New Brunswick households, through new construction or rehabilitation.

Funding is available to private non-profits organizations, co-operatives, and community or private developers interested in developing projects for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, non-elderly singles, disabled persons and persons with special needs.

This project will be built to high energy-efficiency standards, and will involve consultation with Efficiency NB. Builders of affordable housing projects for low-income individuals may receive an incentive of $2,000 per apartment unit if the building is heated by low greenhouse gas emission technologies as approved by Efficiency NB.

For more information, please click here:

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-01-19-1100.cfm

The construction of 21 new affordable housing units in Saint John was officially announced today by the Province of New Brunswick and the Government of Canada. The new units, funded under Phase III of the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement, will house disabled persons, non-elderly singles and families.

Social Development Minister Mary Schryer, who is also Minister responsible for Housing, and Saint John MP Rodney Weston made the announcement today.

“We are pleased to join our partners in these projects to help increase the availability of quality homes for low-income individuals in the Saint John area,” said Minister Schryer. “The creation of more affordable housing is essential to our joint efforts to provide low-income individuals opportunities to be active within their community.”

The $1.9 million project will be built at 66 Queen St., and is being developed by South City Housing Corp. The units are scheduled to open in 2009. The project will receive funding of $630,000 under the Federal Affordable Housing Trust to offset construction costs, as well as $918,540 in rent supplements from the Province of New Brunswick for 21 units.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in New Brunswick and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Weston. “Through this investment, we are making an important difference in the lives of families, low-income individuals and persons with special needs in Saint John who are working toward building a stronger and better future for themselves.”

MP Weston was speaking on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The objective of the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement is to create and sustain rental housing for low- to moderate-income New Brunswick households, through new construction or rehabilitation.

Funding is available to private non-profits organizations, co-operatives, and community or private developers interested in developing projects for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, non-elderly singles, disabled persons and persons with special needs.

This project will be built to high energy-efficiency standards, and will involve consultation with Efficiency NB. Builders of affordable housing projects for low-income individuals may receive an incentive of $2,000 per apartment unit if the building is heated by low greenhouse gas emission technologies as approved by Efficiency NB.

For more details, please see:

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-01-05-1000.cfm