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

KEREMEOS – The Governments of Canada and British Columbia are announcing $720,738 in cost-shared Housing Renovation Partnership (HRP) funding to renovate and retrofit Keremeos social housing in greatest need of repair.

“This initiative provides environmentally sustainable housing that is affordable, ensuring quality living for our seniors and disabled adults,” says Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater.

“These renovation and retrofit projects will improve the quality of life for residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable,” says Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Stockwell Day. “It is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly.”

The Mountain View Manor social housing development will receive funding for repairs and renovations, focusing on sustainability upgrades. These upgrades include installing low flow fixtures, boiler upgrades, lighting retrofits, building air sealing, and improvements to exterior envelopes for enhanced thermal performance.

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.

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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