GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS IN LLOYDMINSTER

Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Tim McMillan, Minister Responsible for Crown Investments Corporation, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, today announced support for a local housing initiative for seniors.

Funding in the amount of $1.2 million has been made available for the initiative through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to an overall investment of $132 million under the amended Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan included $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

"We are pleased to have contributed to this project through the stimulus phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan," said MP Benoit. "Our government is committed to supporting our seniors and our communities, but it takes the efforts of many and partnerships at all levels to get real results. Today's event demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together."

"We are very pleased to work with the Government of Canada and the Lloydminster Métis Housing Group Inc. to provide more housing options for Saskatchewan seniors," Minister McMillan said. "Our government continues to work with other levels of government, the private sector and not-for-profit sectors to create housing opportunities for all Saskatchewan people. This project is another concrete example of that commitment."

The provincial and federal governments are contributing $1.2 million to the 10-unit housing project, which is being developed by the Lloydminster Métis Housing Group Inc. (LMHG) for low-income seniors. The project will include eight two-bedroom and two one-bedroom single-storey units for seniors of low income, which will be built on the same site as some of the organization's existing housing units. LMHG is an active non-profit corporation in Lloydminster, having been incorporated in March 1977. The organization owns and manages 121 single-family dwellings in Lloydminster.

"Lloydminster Métis Housing Group Inc. is extremely grateful to the federal and provincial governments for their financial support," Lloydminster Métis Housing Group Inc. Manager Sandra Brown said. "Their contributions have enabled us to develop this much needed project. We take pride in providing seniors with suitable, safe and affordable housing options."

Canada's Economic Action Plan built on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

The amendment to the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which included funding under Canada's Economic Action Plan, signed in May 2009, brought federal housing support of $74 million to the province. The Government of Saskatchewan is matching that commitment for a total of $148 million to assist those in housing need and, in collaboration with other levels of government and community partners, to make various types of affordable housing programs possible. In Saskatchewan, federal-provincial housing programs are delivered through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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.

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For more information, contact:

Alyson Queen
Office of Minister Finley
Ottawa
Phone: 819-994-2482

Megan Markin
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-2962
Email: mmarkin@cmhc.ca

Brian Miller
Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0531
Email: brian.miller3@gov.sk.ca