Fort Macleod Seniors Lodge Officially Opens with 40 New Homes

FORT MACLEOD, AB, Sept. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Alberta are making lives better for seniors in Fort Macleod and surrounding communities with the grand opening of the new Pioneer Lodge. Forty new spacious and fully accessible units offer independent living for seniors and allows them to remain close to their families and communities.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.

Quotes:

"We recognize how important it is for seniors to live independently, and remain close to families and friends. Projects like Pioneer Lodge improve senior's housing outcomes, touching dozens of lives and families in the community. Together with partners in all orders of government and the private sector, we're making significant progress to ensure that seniors across the country have access to safe, affordable housing." ? Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources

"The investment in the Pioneer Lodge, by the federal and provincial governments and the Willow Creek Foundation, demonstrates a commitment to seniors, their families, and to southwest Alberta. Seniors in the Towns of Fort Macleod and Granum and the M.D. of Willow Creek and neighbouring communities now have the benefit of a safe, comfortable home in an accessible modern lodge which is an asset to the area." ? Maryanne Sandberg, chair, Willow Creek Foundation

Quick facts:

• The governments of Canada and Alberta provided a combined investment of approximately
  $7.2 million, under the Investment in Affordable Housing 2014-2019 Agreement.
• The Pioneer Lodge project replaces an outdated seniors lodge with a new 40-unit, fully accessible lodge.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS)?an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow them on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

The Alberta government ministry of Seniors and Housing fosters the development of affordable housing and supports access to housing options for Albertans most in need. The Alberta government will invest $1.2 billion for affordable housing capital needs. To achieve these outcomes, the ministry works with seniors, Albertans who require housing supports, their families and caregivers, communities and other government partners. A more detailed description of the ministry and its programs and initiatives can be found at www.seniors-housing.gov.ab.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation