VANCOUVER - A $180-million funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will help create more affordable housing options for B.C. residents and continue to reduce the number of households in housing need.
Under the agreement, both orders of Government will provide matching contributions of $90 million each over the next three years to fund programs that support a range of housing needs for low-income individuals, families and seniors. The overall objective of the agreement is to improve access to affordable housing that is sound, suitable and sustainable. Funding can go toward new construction, renovation, homeownership assistance, rent supplements, shelter allowances, and accommodations for victims of family violence.
The agreement comes as a result of the recently announced Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Framework Agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The framework recognizes the diversity of affordable housing needs of Canadians and that a range of solutions is needed to meet local needs and priorities. Under this framework, provinces and territories have responsibility for the design and delivery of affordable housing programs that address specific housing needs in their jurisdictions.
Both orders of government will report annually to the public regarding the investments and progress toward achieving the intended outcomes of the initiative.
The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Minister for Official Languages and Regional Minister for British Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) along with the Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing, Province of British Columbia, made the announcement today.
"Our government is committed to working with the Province of British Columbia to develop and implement solutions to housing," said Minister Moore. "This agreement recognizes the need for local solutions to housing challenges and the importance of reporting on progress on achievement of outcomes."
"Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion and created more than 20,000 new units of affordable housing," said Coleman. "These accomplishments have been driven by a sound provincial housing strategy, strategic investments and partnerships with all levels of government and community agencies. This new agreement will help us continue to create safe, quality, affordable housing for B.C. residents in need.
The announcement was made at Sorella, a new 108-unit supportive housing development for women at risk of homelessness in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Sorella received more than $20 million from both levels of government through an earlier funding agreement, along with funding from the City of Vancouver. The federal contribution is$6.2 million, and the provincial contribution is more than $14.5 million.
"This new federal-provincial agreement will increase the potential for a range of housing options for people who need it most," said Karen Stone, executive director of the B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association. "Non-profit housing providers are a key partner in managing more than 60,000 affordable housing units in B.C., and our providers and tenants look forward to greater housing affordability options."
In September 2008, the Government of Canada committed to a five-year investment of more than $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness to address the needs of low-income Canadians, those at risk of homelessness, and the homeless. This included a two-year renewal of the Affordable Housing Initiative and renovation programs until March 31, 2011 with a commitment to consult on the use of the investments for the 2011-14 period.
In the fall of 2009, federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as municipalities, public and private stakeholders, engaged on how best to use federal funding from 2011 to 2014. Federal, provincial and territorial housing ministers also met in December 2009 to discuss the future of these investments.
The federal investments announced today are part of the Government of Canada's $1.9-billion commitment for housing and homelessness programs announced in 2008. Canada's Economic Action Plan built on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families in communities across the province. This year, more than 93,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services. To learn more about provincial housing programs and services in British Columbia, visit:
www.bchousing.org.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada, through CMHC, is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642, or visit:
www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplanFor more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1 800 O Canada, or visit:
www.actionplan.gc.ca
