Government of Canada Invests in Habitat for Humanity Canada to support new and repair existing affordable housing

PETERBOROUGH, ON, Aug. 13, 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 the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, 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 $32.4 million financial commitment over three years (2019-2021) from the federal government to Habitat for Humanity Canada and its affiliate organizations across Canada.

With this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and the work of Habitat for Humanity and its affiliate organizations, approximately 405 new homes will be created and approximately 105 units will be repaired and renewed supporting lower income families in communities in every province and territory across Canada. These homes will meet NHCF accessibility and energy efficiency targets and will serve a range of vulnerable populations including single mothers, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and seniors.

In the first year of this NHCF commitment, funding is intended to be allocated across nine provinces and one territory in support of the creation of 135 new homes and the repair of approximately 56 existing homes. Under this first year commitment, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough will receive up to $3,183,250 in funding for thirty-five new homes within its Leahy's Lane project, a unique 41-unit condo building meeting universal design standards. This will be Habitat for Humanity Peterborough's largest multi-residential build and will serve as a model that can be rolled out to other Habitats across the country.

The Habitat for Humanity Canada model of affordable homeownership bridges a gap for people who face barriers to homeownership and would not otherwise qualify for a traditional mortgage. Local Habitat for Humanity organizations in every province and territory across Canada help build and rehabilitate decent and affordable homes, from single-family houses to multi-unit developments. With the help of volunteers and donors, Habitat helps families build their own homes and pay an affordable mortgage geared to their income. Safe, decent and affordable homeownership plays a critical role in helping families build a foundation for a life with better choices and more opportunities.

Quotes

"Our Government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to be investing in Habitat for Humanity Canada. Through their efforts hundreds of families across Canada will realize the dream of homeownership. By investing in this project, we are one step closer to our government's ambitious goal of creating 125,000 new housing units and lifting 530,000 families out of housing need as part of the National Housing Strategy." ? The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality 

"We are extremely grateful for this partnership with the Government of Canada and CMHC as this investment will create significant opportunities for Habitat to scale and grow our program in communities across Canada. Collaboration is key to this success, and we will need the support of volunteers, donors, corporations and the community. This funding will help empower families to overcome the barriers to affordable homeownership, and help them build healthier, more financially stable lives.  We know that the outcomes of our program are long-lasting and life-changing, and now, thanks to this investment from the Government of Canada, we can help even more Canadians in need of affordable housing than ever before." ? Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada

We are entering into this innovative development with great enthusiasm and hope for the future of affordable homeownership in our community. Thanks to the support of the Government of Canada and CMHC this project will transform the lives of 41 households in Peterborough, building strength, stability, and self-reliance." ? Sarah Burke, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region

"The demand for housing in Peterborough is extremely high and I am very happy to see the Leahy's Lane project moving forward. Habitat Peterborough does great work, and this innovative project will have an enormous positive impact for our community" ? Diane Therrien, Mayor of Peterborough

Quick Facts

• In 2019, funding is intended to support the creation of 135 new homes and the repair of approximately 56 existing homes, with 35 of the new homes being funded at the 41-unit Leahy's Lane project in Peterborough.
• The Leahy's Lane project will have 6 one-bedroom units, 29 two-bedroom units, and 6 three-bedroom units.
• All units will be affordable, with a mixture of incomes from the very low $20,000s (or less), upwards to $50,000 depending on family size. This will allow Habitat to provide affordable housing for a wider variety of families and individuals, including seniors.
• The property will include trees, gardens, a small covered walkway with a bench and the building will have a party room/social lounge on the first floor.
• The property fronts on to Parkhill Road East and there is a bus stop right beside the property.
• The condo units will be well-built and energy-efficient, reducing the cost of utilities for families.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 125,000 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.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, 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 existing 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 our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada

Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, charitable organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 54 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world.

• Learn more about Habitat for Humanity Canada visit www.habitat.ca 
• Learn more about key facts on Habitat for Humanity Canada 2018 IMPACT

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation