FRANCAIS

August 27, 2005

WOODLANDS, AUGUST 27, 2005 – Low- to moderate-income seniors in the town of Woodlands will soon benefit from the construction of an affordable housing project. Ten units of this 12-unit apartment development are being supported with $300,000 in funding from the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI).

Reg Alcock, Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board and President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing; and the Honourable Christine Melnick, Minister of Manitoba Family Services and Housing and Minister responsible for the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation made the announcement today. Total costs, when combined with the project owner’s contribution, are estimated at $989,000.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting affordable housing for Canadians who need it most,” said Minister Alcock. “We are pleased to be making this investment to create affordable housing units for seniors in Woodlands. Together with our partners, we are helping more people access new homes and start new lives.”

The new project, which is supported by the Rural Municipality of Woodlands, will be built on property next to the existing Oak Park Lodge, at Railway Avenue and Parker in Woodlands. The 12 new apartments will include seven one-bedroom units and five two-bedroom units. It is expected the project will be completed by early 2006. The rental apartment units are designated affordable in the new building with rents of approximately $465 per month for a one-bedroom and $585 per month for a two-bedroom unit, which also includes utilities.

“This project, supported through the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative, will help ensure a supply of quality, reasonably-priced housing for low- to moderate-income seniors in the area,” said Minister Melnick. “We are gratified to be supporting a success story – the work of Oak Park Lodge, with its many years of service in the Woodlands area.”

“Our hopes and dreams for this much-needed project have finally come true,” said Jean Marshall of Oak Park Estates Inc. “We are very pleased to join with the governments of Canada and Manitoba to help create more safe and affordable housing options for low- to moderate-income seniors.”

The governments of Canada and Manitoba will each contribute $36.9 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.

- 30 -

The governments of Canada and Manitoba signed the Affordable Housing Initiative in 2002. The first phase provided federal funding of $25.39 million with matching contributions of $25.39 million from the Province of Manitoba and community-based housing partners. This agreement provides funding for a new rental housing-supply program, a rehabilitation/conversion program, a new homebuyer down-payment program and a home ownership-supply program.

The second phase increased the total investment by $23.08 million by 2008. This is equally shared by Canada and Manitoba for:

• a new rental housing-supply program to increase the amount of new rental affordable housing for low-income renters;
• a rehabilitation/conversion housing program to rehabilitate severely deteriorated properties into rental or ownership affordable housing for low-income households;
• a homebuyer down-payment assistance program to help low-income renters become first-time homebuyers of new or recently renovated affordable housing developed under Affordable Housing programs and;
• a new homeownership supply program to increase homeownership by encouraging construction of new housing in targeted urban revitalization and remote areas.

As well, federal assistance is increased to 50 per cent of capital costs to a maximum of $75,000 per unit. The units are expected to remain affordable and be occupied by low-income households for a minimum of 10 years. Phase II is targeted to people on or eligible to be on a social-housing waiting list.

The Government of Canada annually supports housing with approximately $126.5 million in grants, contributions and subsidies which primarily serve some 42,850 lower-income families, seniors, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people and victims of domestic violence.

This includes funds for renovations under the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP), Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI), Emergency Repair Program (ERP) and the Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP).

The Government of Manitoba offers programs to help lower-income households maintain, buy or rent safe, adequate and affordable housing. The province provides annual grants and subsidies through the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation for non-profit and co-operative housing organizations to help develop project proposals for affordable housing for seniors, persons with disabilities and persons with low incomes. It supports the provision of private-sector financing for affordable housing projects developed and delivered by non-profit organizations and also provides grants and loans for home repairs.

The Affordable Housing Initiative complements existing renovation and repair programs including the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP). Manitoba cost-shares RRAP, the Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence Program, the Emergency Repair Program and the Shelter Enhancement Program with the federal government. The Manitoba government also funds and delivers the Homeowner Emergency Loan Program.