October 14, 2009
Salt Spring Social Housing Benefits from B.C. – Canada Partnership

SALT SPRING ISLAND – The Governments of Canada and British Columbia announced today a $557,202 cost-shared Housing Renovation Partnership (HRP), a joint agreement to provide funding to renovate and retrofit Salt Spring Island social housing in greatest need of repair.

“This funding is another example of our government’s commitment to get funding for affordable housing flowing quickly through our Economic Action Plan, ” says Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Gary Lunn “Today’s announcement will help to ensure quality housing is available on Salt Spring Island for those in need.”

“When our lowest income residents are supported in their housing needs, it allows them to focus on improving other aspects of their lives,” says Saanich North and the Islands MLA Murray Coell. “Subsidized housing  is an effective way to ensure individuals and families are supported through these challenging economic times and ensure a sufficient quality of life for British Columbians.”

The Croftonbrook development will receive $557,202 for building envelope renewal and environmental sustainability.

Of the total $176.76 million announced, the majority of the funding, $163.7 million will be directed toward repairs at 81 social housing developments. The remainder of the funding, $13.06 million is being allocated to renovations that are underway at provincially-owned Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels.

The funding was made available as 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.

This new initiative is part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program launched by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs over three years and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province.

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 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 another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Through Housing Matters BC, the Province is addressing a range of housing needs, from homelessness to affordable rental housing and homeownership.  In 2009, the provincial housing budget is approximately $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001.  To find out more about affordable housing in B.C., visit www.bchousing.org.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.  For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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