PARKSVILLE - Seniors and people with disabilities in Parksville now have better access to affordable housing at Hustwick Place, a 33-unit building funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia along with community partners.

"Our government is committed to giving a hand-up to those in need," said James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "We are proud to have invested in this affordable housing complex through Canada's Economic Action Plan, helping to create growth and jobs for Canadians, and improving the lives of seniors who live there."

"The Province places great emphasis on the creation of affordable housing for seniors in need" said Ron Cantelon, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum. "The opening of Hustwick Place is a direct result of this commitment, providing Vancouver Island seniors with greater access to quality, affordable homes conveniently located in the heart of our community."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of approximately $4 million for the construction of 28 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments within the 33 unit Hustwick Place project. The Province of British Columbia also arranged approximately $577,371 in long-term financing for the building.

The City of Parksville waived approximately $274,773 in municipal fees and development cost charges for the project. The Regional District of Nanaimo waived $109,896 in development cost charges. The Parksville Lions Housing Society provided the land valued at $635,000.

"The city is proud to support new affordable housing projects like Hustwick Place," said Mayor Chris Burger, City of Parksville. "This great addition to our community will go a long way in connecting seniors with quality, affordable housing right here in Parksville."

"The Regional District of Nanaimo board of directors strongly supports the provision of affordable rental housing throughout the region, and I am pleased to congratulate the Parksville Lions on the official opening of Hustwick Place," said Joe Stanhope, chairperson, Regional District of Nanaimo. "To assist with the provision of not-for-profit affordable housing projects, the RDN board has established a not-for-profit rental housing sewer development cost charge reduction bylaw. It is our hope that this bylaw will serve to encourage more affordable housing projects within the RDN."

The Parksville Lions Housing Society manages and operates the 28 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments. The five remaining residential housing apartments for seniors will be owned and operated by the society.

"Our society is absolutely thrilled to be here today with our partners from all levels of government to celebrate this opening," said Jim Hoffman, past president for the Parksville Lions Housing Society. "Named in honour of Allen Hustwick, our former mayor and charter member of our Lions Club, Hustwick Place provides our local seniors with affordable housing, allowing them to age in the community they know and love."

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, 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 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.

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 $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.

A new agreement signed recently in July 2011 by both orders of government confirms 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. With the provincial contribution of $90 million in matching funds, there is a combined investment of $180 million to support housing programs that help B.C. residents access safe, affordable housing.

For more information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca

To find out how CMHC is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan

Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 95,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org

A backgrounder follows.

Media inquiries:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

Jeanette Wilkinson
CMHC Communications
604 737-4025
604 360-7793

Alyson Queen
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482

BACKGROUNDER

Jan. 20, 2012 Ministry of Energy and Mines

and Minister Responsible for Housing

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Hustwick Place

Hustwick Place, located at 205 Jensen Ave. E. in Parksville, provides 33 new apartments for seniors, including 28 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Partners and Funding:

The total capital cost of this project is approximately $5.8 million.

• The Government of Canada provided $2,079,000 million under Canada's Economic Action Plan - Housing for low-income seniors.
• The Province of British Columbia contributed $2,086,000 million and arranged long term financing of $577,371.
• The City of Parksville waived approximately $274,773 in municipal fees and development cost charges.
• The Regional District of Nanaimo waived $109,896 in development cost charges.
• The Parksville Lions Housing Society provided the land, valued at $635,000.

Parksville Lions Housing Society

Since 1974, the Parksville Lions Housing Society has been a registered non-profit organization committed to providing affordable rental housing for low-income seniors in British Columbia. The Parksville Lions Housing Society manages and operates the 28 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments. The five remaining residential housing apartments for seniors will be owned and operated by the society.

Media inquiries:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

Jeanette Wilkinson
CMHC Communications
604 737-4025
604 360-7793

Alyson Queen
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482