$32 Million Invested in Affordable Housing

NOTE: A social media version of this release, with high-res downloadable photographs and video clips, is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2010-10-23-Affordable-Housing .

A list of investments follows this release.

More than 6,000 families, seniors and persons with disabilities will be living in safe, affordable housing, thanks to a $32 million federal-provincial investment, announced today, Oct. 23.

Thousands of low-income families in every region will benefit from a more than $21 million investment for housing renovations and repairs, while $9.46 million will be used to build new housing for seniors and $1.29 million will be invested in new housing for persons with disabilities.

Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse, with MP Gerald Keddy, on behalf of Diane Finley, minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, announced the projects and outlined where the investments are being made.

"Families, seniors and persons with disabilities deserve affordable, accessible homes," said Ms. Peterson-Rafuse. "For more than 6,000 lower income Nova Scotian families, it means safe, stable homes. To more than 60 seniors, this investment means being able to live independently, longer. For more than 15 persons with disabilities it means brand new barrier-free homes where they can do simple things we take for granted, like easily cooking their own meals."

There are more than 300 projects taking place throughout the province, giving Nova Scotia's most vulnerable more options to access affordable housing. These housing projects are also providing jobs and helping to grow the provincial economy.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, government is committed to giving a hand up to those who need it most," said Mr. Keddy. "Projects like these are important because they put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly, while at the same time providing needed improvements to housing, making Nova Scotia an even better place to live, work and grow."

Edgar Hillier, 75, of Sydney is happy with his new, accessible home.

"Growing up, I never had much, but this place is beautiful. It's the nicest place I've ever lived. I'm so grateful I'm jumping with joy. I have a nice apartment I can get around in, enough food to eat and I'm warm. I don't need anything else."

To date, under the Affordable Housing Program, more than 1,400 affordable housing units have been created or preserved around Nova Scotia. For more information on these projects, visit www.gov.ns.ca/coms/affordablehousing .

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

More information on Canada's Economic Action Plan can be found at www.actionplan.gc.ca. To find out more about building stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

Housing Investments:

Annapolis Valley

• Housing for Seniors: $2,400,000
• Housing for Persons with Disabilities: $450,000
• Renovations and Retrofits: $876,872

South Shore

• Renovations and Retrofits: $1,865,196

Halifax Regional Municipality

• Housing for Seniors: $2,710,000
• Housing for Persons with Disabilities: $300,000
• Renovations and Retrofits: $7,646,952

Northern Mainland

• Renovations and Retrofits: $2,629,652

Cape Breton

• Housing for Seniors: $4,350,000
• Housing for Persons with Disabilities: $540,000
• Renovations and Retrofits: $8,293,046