October 17, 2003

Brandon area residents will soon have access to more safe and affordable housing when 36 units of housing are completed, including in a new apartment building at 1550 Pacific Avenue. The projects are made possible with more than $533,000 in funding from the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI).

The Honourable Drew Caldwell, Minister of Manitoba Family Services and Housing and Minister responsible for the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation; and the Honourable Steven Mahoney, Secretary of State responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; today announced total costs, when combined with contributions from the project owners, of $2.36 million.

"This support, through the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative, further boosts the revitalization of the downtown," said Minister Caldwell. "Thanks to project owners, low- and moderate-income families will soon be able to move into these new units of housing that will provide much-needed, reasonably priced accommodations.

"This partnership between the federal and provincial governments and the private sector demonstrates how we can work together to address the housing needs of Brandon’s residents," said Secretary of State Mahoney. "Successes like this are key to developing strong communities, not just here in Manitoba, but across Canada."

Through the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative, three projects are being supported:

• 1550 Pacific Avenue - $473,230 for construction of a 30-unit apartment building that includes 28 two-bedroom suites and two one-bedroom units;
• 1039 Assiniboine Avenue - $40,000 for construction of a new, two-storey, four-plex with four two-bedroom units; and
• 514 Louise Street - $20,000 for construction of an addition to an existing two-unit building that will create two new two-bedroom suites.

The project owners will provide the funding for the balance of the costs.

The new apartment building features a unique, modular construction technique, with local contractors assembling the modular units on-site. The project is being supported through the AHI’s New Rental Supply program and 26 of the units will be available for rent by low- and moderate-income families.

"We are proud to assist members of our community on these projects which will provide residents with more affordable, quality housing options," said Dave Hughes of the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC). "Local developers, along with the BNRC, in partnership with the governments of Canada and Manitoba, have been able to develop innovative housing models that address the needs of the entire community."

The governments of Canada and Manitoba will each contribute $25.39 million to the Affordable Housing Initiative, demonstrating their commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing in Manitoba. It is anticipated that contributions from municipalities, the private and voluntary sectors, co-operatives and charities will significantly increase the size of this initiative in Manitoba.

Funding under the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative flows through provincially designed programs that support new rental housing and homeownership opportunities and the rehabilitation or conversion of existing housing. As well, $6 million will be dedicated to housing in remote areas.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Manitoba Family Services and Housing are working co-operatively with the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation to revitalize housing in the Brandon core area.

Since April 2000, the revitalization of housing in Brandon’s downtown has been supported by the governments of Canada and Manitoba, with the construction or renovation of more than 400 rental and homeowner housing units. Projects totalling more than $4.8 million have been cost-shared by Canada and Manitoba. This support has helped create more safe, improved and affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income families.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

The Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) was signed in September 2002 and provides $50.8 million, over five years, to help increase the supply of affordable rental units and new housing available in the province. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), on behalf of the Government of Canada, has contributed $25.39 million, which is matched by the Province of Manitoba. It is anticipated the AHI will create 2,500 units over five years.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) helps low-income households and landlords make necessary repairs to bring their properties up to acceptable health and safety standards. RRAP is cost-shared 75/25 per cent respectively by the federal government, through CMHC, and by the provincial government, through Manitoba Family Services and Housing. Manitoba administers the program.

Through the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative, Manitoba has committed $25.39 million to further increase support for the development of safe and affordable housing. Funding support under the New Rental Supply, New Homeownership Supply, Repair/Conversion and Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance programs is available to support housing proposals.

The Manitoba government has also committed close to $2 million annually to its share of federal renovation programs, including the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program and the Shelter Enhancement Program.

Neighbourhoods Alive! is a long-term development strategy that provides community groups in designated areas of Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson with the support they need for programs in the areas of housing and physical improvements, employment and training, education and recreation, and safety and crime prevention. The Manitoba government has committed $3.7 million to Neighbourhoods Alive! in the 2003 budget to develop local capacity, innovative training and provide a fund through which local neighbourhoods can implement their revitalization plans.

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