Government of Canada to Build Safe and Affordable Housing for Seniors in Rivière-Rouge

RIVIÈRE-ROUGE, QC, March 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why, in May 2018, the Government launched the National Housing Co-investment Fund (NHCF), the largest program of its kind in Canadian history.

Today in Rivière-Rouge, David de Burgh Graham, Member of Parliament for Laurentides?Labelle, 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), announced a federal government financial commitment of more than $3.8 million for the construction of 38 new housing units.

Thanks to this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and to the investments of other partners, notably the Province de Quebec, the City of Rivière-Rouge, the Ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources naturelles and Desjardins, this project by Appartements du quartier Rivière-Rouge, a non-profit organization, will provide affordable housing units to at least 38 independent seniors.

Half of the dwellings in Villa Cartier, that is, 19 units, will be affordable thanks to the Province's Rent Supplement program. As well, the building will achieve energy savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 26% compared to the National Energy Code for Buildings 2015. Additionally, all the units in the building will be accessible through universal design.

Quotes

"Our government believes that every Canadian should be able to retire in dignity. We are working to improve the lives of seniors by returning the age of eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) to 65 and increasing the GIS for single seniors. We are extremely happy to be supporting this wonderful project that will provide safe and affordable homes to seniors in our beautiful region."? David de Burgh Graham, Member of Parliament for Laurentides?Labelle

"This major project will offer our residents a safe and quality living space all while maintaining their ties in our community. Ville de Rivière-Rouge is proud to be a partner in the creation of this magnificent living environment." ? Denis Charette, Mayor, Rivière-Rouge

"The plan to build Villa Cartier emerged in 2013, with the primary goal of improving housing conditions for seniors. The new structure, located downtown, will be more spacious than the current Résidences Côme-Cartier building. It will include rooms and apartments as well as all the services to improve life for the residents. This will enable us to support them as their needs for care and services change."? Justine Lacoste, Chair of the Board of Directors, Appartements du quartier Rivière-Rouge

"Desjardins is proud to collaborate with Appartements du quartier Rivière-Rouge to build a residence for seniors in Rivière-Rouge. We believe that the retention of seniors in our community is a major issue that brings significant social and economic benefits to the region, and this project is a structuring initiative that addresses the lack of housing for our seniors."? Jean-François Cromp, General Manager, Caisse Desjardins de la Rouge

Quick Facts

• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing of family violence, seniors, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, those with mental health and addiction issues, veterans and young adults.
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
• Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and Northern communities.

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, visit www.cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation