The governments of Canada and British Columbia announced today $700,000 in funding to renovate 46 apartments in the communities of Duncan and Vancouver. Today's announcement increases the total number of renovation projects under the Housing Renovation Partnership to 105 across British Columbia.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our Government is taking concrete action to help ensure economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "Funding the renovation of projects like Oak Grove and the First Lutheran Court will not only improve the overall housing conditions in British Columbia but also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

"Together with our government and non-profit partners, the Province is continually working to renew and revitalize affordable housing for British Columbians who need it most," said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing. "These projects affect positive change for the people and the communities who call them home."

The Housing Renovation Partnership is the result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada - British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which includes funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia. The Housing Renovation Partnership will provide $177 million for the renovation and retrofit of social housing. Under the terms of the agreement, the federal and provincial governments will provide matching contributions of $88.82 million. Overall, Canada's Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the repair of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds 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. It provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Agreement to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing, to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households.

The Province of British Columbia's $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, helping to build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province and stimulating local economies across B.C. In 2010-11, the Province will invest over $562 million to provide affordable housing and fight homelessness - more than four times as much as in 2001. Through Housing Matters BC, the Province is addressing a range of housing needs, from homelessness to affordable rental housing and homeownership. To find out more about affordable housing in B.C., visit: www.bchousing.org

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan 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

A backgrounder follows.

Media contacts:

Laura Kohli

BC Housing

604 439-8583

Andrea Scott

Media Relations

CMHC B.C. Region

604 737-4064 Ryan Sparrow

Office of Minister Finley

819 994-2482

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

BACKGROUNDER

Housing Renovation Projects

Community Project Name Number of Units Federal Funding Provincial Funding Duncan Oak Grove 27 $248,744 $251,257 Vancouver First Lutheran Court 19 $99,498 $100,502 Total 46 $348,242 $351,759

Media contacts:

Laura Kohli

BC Housing

604 439-8583

Andrea Scott

Media Relations

CMHC B.C. Region

604 737-4064 Ryan Sparrow

Office of Minister Finley

819 994-2482

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect