Seniors in Golden are celebrating increased access to affordable housing at Mountain View Manor, a new addition providing eight units of seniors housing, funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia along with community partners.

"Our government understands that funding projects such as Mountain View Manor not only creates safe, affordable housing for seniors, but it also creates jobs and stimulates the local economy," said David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay - Columbia. "By having all levels of government working together with community organizations, we are making a difference for seniors across Canada."

"Seniors are the heart of our community and our government is working hard to ensure that they have access to safe, affordable homes," said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing. "Throughout British Columbia we are investing in communities so that seniors can remain in the towns they love, where they have friends, family and established roots."

Through an amendment to the Canada - British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of nearly $1.4 million for the construction of Mountain View Manor. In addition, the Interior Health Authority provided the land, valued at approximately $159,500.

"At Interior Health we recognize that having a place to call home is a significant contributor to an individual's overall health - that is why we are committed to working with partners to leverage assets, such as the land for this project ," said Norman Embree, board chair, Interior Health Authority. "Mountain View Manor is a shining example of this collaboration."

Columbia Basin Trust 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 Seniors' Rental Housing (SRH) initiative. This includes projects that have been built in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke and Valemount.

"We are committed to supporting communities in dealing with housing issues and are pleased to be involved in this partnership, with all levels of government and community partners, which has increased the number of seniors' housing units in Golden and in six other communities across the basin," said Neil Muth, president and chief executive officer of the Columbia Basin Trust.

The eight apartments of modular housing are an addition to the existing eight-unit Mountain View assisted living facility. Golden Community Resources Society manages and operates the new apartments, as well as the previously existing apartments.

"Our organization has a long-established history of providing much-needed services in our community," said Connie Barlow, executive director, Golden Community Resources Society. "With the addition of these eight apartments of affordable seniors housing, we can continue to make Golden an even better place to live for seniors."

The Seniors' Rental Housing initiative was a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which included funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and by the government of British Columbia. This initiative, initially announced by the two levels of government on April 8, 2009, provided $123.6 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.6 million for persons with disabilities, to develop approximately 1,300 new affordable rental housing units, which has helped to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments provided matching contributions of $61.8 million.

The Canada - British Columbia Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011 - 2014, signed in July 2011, confirms the remaining three years of B.C.'s five-year allocation of the Government of Canada's 2008 commitment of more than $1.9 billion to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. This means a further $90 million in federal funding for British Columbians in housing need. With matching provincial contributions of $90 million, a total combined investment of $180 million helps to support affordable housing programs for B.C. residents.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In British Columbia, this represents some 68,650 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

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

Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $3.2 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 97,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org

The Families First Agenda for British Columbia provides information about how government supports families throughout the province. It describes a range of established programs and some new ideas to help make life more affordable, support vulnerable families and keep communities safe. To read the agenda, share your ideas or provide feedback, visit: www.FamiliesFirstBC.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Media inquiries:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064 Marian Ngo

Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482

BACKGROUNDER

Mountain View Manor

Mountain View Manor is a new development located at 750 - 8th Ave. South in Golden providing eight modular apartments to seniors or people with disabilities.

The building is an addition to the existing eight-unit Mountain View assisted living facility, which was constructed under the Independent Living BC program.

The Golden Community Resources Society manages and operates the eight new apartments, as well as the existing eight apartments.

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 project is approximately $1.8 million.

• The Government of Canada provided $594,000 under Canada's Economic Action Plan - Housing for low-income seniors and housing for persons with disabilities.

• The Province of British Columbia provided $ 838,494.

• The Interior Health Authority the land, valued at approximately $159,500.

• Columbia Basin Trust 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 Seniors' Rental Housing (SRH) initiative. This includes projects that have been built in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke and Valemount.

• Equity of $145,000 remaining from Mountain View 'Phase 1' was transferred to the 'Phase 2' expansion.

Golden Community Resources Society

Golden Community Resources Society administers social service programs in the Golden area, including employment, child and family support, licensed child care, youth initiatives, victim support and affordable housing.

Media inquiries:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064

Marian Ngo
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482