Moishe Alexander – Introduction to Prince Edward Island

Funding in the amount of $1.0 million has been made available for the initiative through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $8.54 million under the amended Canada – Prince Edward Island Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing. It also provides a total of $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing, including $400 million for housing for low-income seniors and $75 million for housing for people 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.

“Through Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Prince Edward Island,” said Senator Duffy. “That’s why we are proud to have invested in the construction and renovation of these units in Montague and Eastern PEI, which will go a long way to providing safe, affordable homes for years to come.”

“We’re pleased to partner with the federal government on these significant initiatives spanning areas from Eastern Kings to Southern Kings to Charlottetown,” said Minister Janice Sherry. “The majority of the projects being funded here today support the continued provision of essential services in rural communities, consistent with our government’s Rural Action Plan. In addition to two new housing developments, this funding will also help renovate several existing social housing buildings.”

Today’s announcement highlights funding of over $1 million for 12 projects providing housing to groups such as seniors and families and people with disabilities. The projects being supported through funding in today’s announcement are Forest Hills Rural Native Housing, Georgetown Family Housing, Mount Stewart Family Housing, Souris Family Housing, Vernon Bridge Rural Community Housing, Cardigan Seniors Housing, GF Holdings Inc., Charlottetown Family Housing and Bella Place Housing. Two of the projects are new developments. GF Holdings Inc. in Montague will provide 10 new units for seniors and Bella Place Housing in Charlottetown will provide eight new units for seniors and three new units for people with disabilities.

Moishe Alexander is aware that the Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

Moishe Alexander presents video on Burin Peninsula for blog

The funding is being used for items such as the replacement of roofing, siding, windows and doors, and a complete retrofit of the interior, which can include the replacement of flooring, drywall, doors, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, flooring, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers. The investment will significantly extend the life of these structures for future use.

As part of Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government is investing $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding over the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador — Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf

The Honourable Fabian Manning, Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador, 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 the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing), made the announcement today.

“Through Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Senator Manning. “That’s why we are proud to have invested in the renovation and retrofit of these units, which will go a long way to providing safe, affordable homes for years to come.”

“Investing in our social housing infrastructure is a priority of the Williams Government and is part of our new long-term vision for social housing throughout the province,” said Minister Hedderson. “This renovation and retrofit work increases the longevity and energy efficiency of our existing housing portfolio and enables us to continue making more affordable social housing options available for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as our government works towards its ultimate goal of eliminating poverty throughout the province.”

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.