Office of the Premier
CRANBROOK - The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners officially opened Baker Gardens today, a new 36-unit modular housing development for seniors and persons with disabilities in Cranbrook.
"I am delighted to see that construction is complete on this project," said David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay - 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). "The opening of Baker Gardens brings more suitable, affordable accommodation to Cranbrook, allowing seniors and people with disabilities to remain in our community - one that they know and love."
"Bringing safe, affordable housing to seniors here in Cranbrook is important to me as a community member and it is important to this government," said Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East. "Developments like this offer residents a comfortable home and they are a vital part of a vibrant and healthy community."
Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal government contributed approximately $2.7 million to support the construction of Bakers Gardens. The Province of British Columbia provided approximately $2.2 million to this project. The City of Cranbrook provided the land and waived development cost charges for this project. Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) also contributed to the overall capital costs of this site.
"Addressing the need for more affordable housing for seniors in Cranbrook is a key priority for our City and council," said Mayor Scott Manjak, City of Cranbrook. "That is why we are proud to contribute and partner with all involved in this project, making the opening of Baker Gardens a reality, benefiting our community as a whole."
CBT has committed $425,000 to the overall capital costs of seven sites in the Columbia Basin region for a total of 114 units under the SRH initiative, including Baker Gardens. Other SRH projects in development with CBT commitment include Baynes Lake, Creston, Golden, Kimberley, two sites in Revelstoke and Valemount.
"Columbia Basin Trust is committed to supporting initiatives that result in increasing affordable housing options for basin residents," said Garry Merkel, Columbia Basin Trust board chair. "We are pleased to be involved in this partnership, with all levels of government and various community partners, to increase the number of seniors' housing units both here in Cranbrook and in six other communities across the basin."
The Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays (CMHA) will manage and operate Baker Gardens. CMHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting mental health through the provision of services, programming advocacy and public education.
"We believe that safe, affordable housing is one of the key components to maintaining good mental health," said Janice Ivan, executive director Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays. "With the opening of Baker Gardens, our resident seniors now have access to more housing options in the community they know and love, so that they can continue with their independence and maintain an active healthy lifestyle."
The Seniors' Rental Housing initiative is a 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. This initiative, first announced by the two levels of government on April 8, 2009, will provide $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop approximately 1,300 new affordable rental housing units, which will help to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments are providing matching contributions of $61.79 million.
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. It provided $475 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.
A new agreement signed recently by both orders of government implements B.C.'s allocation of the remaining three years of the $1.9 billion, which amounts to a further $90 million in federal funding for British Columbians in housing need. The Province will contribute another $90 million in matching funds, for a combined investment of $180 million, to support housing programs and services that help B.C. residents access safe, affordable housing.
The Province of British Columbia $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, building vital public infrastructure and stimulating local economies across the province.
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
For more information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca
To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org
A backgrounder follows.
Media Contacts:
Andrea Scott
CMH Communications
604 737-4064
Vincent Chou
BC Housing
604 454-5444
604 833-8724
Alyson Queen
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482
BACKGROUNDER
Aug. 31, 2011 Ministry of Energy and Mines
and Minister Responsible for Housing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Baker Gardens
Baker Gardens, located at 1501 - 1st St. South in Cranbrook, is a Seniors Rental Housing Project that provides 36 units of affordable modular housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. It is the largest modular housing development in the Province of B.C. built under the Seniors Rental Housing Initiative.
Modular housing has been used extensively for the seniors' rental housing developments as it allows construction to take place in a factory with less dependence on weather conditions. The modular units meet EnerGuide 80 standards, and are designed to be easily accessible for seniors and people with disabilities. This includes room sizes that allow for wheelchair access and manoeuvring, shelves and light switches at an accessible height and bathroom grab bars or step-in showers.
Partners and funding:
The total capital cost of this development is approximately $5.6 million.
- The Government of Canada provided $2,673,000 through Canada's Economic Action Plan.
- The Province of British Columbia provided $2,200,000.
- The City of Cranbrook provided the land, valued at $647,000 and waived approximately $73,000 in development cost charges.
Media Contacts:
Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
604 737-4064
Vincent Chou
BC Housing
604 454-5444
604 833-8724
Alyson Queen
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482
