Seniors in Sechelt now have increased access to affordable housing at the Jack Nelson Annex, a new 65-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 John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country, 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."

"It is always a pleasure to open a new building and see the progress being made to create safe, affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities," said Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver - Sea to Sky. "The Jack Nelson Annex provides more affordable housing options for seniors all along the Sunshine Coast and I would like to thank all the partners involved for bringing this project to the community."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of approximately $4.6 million for 31 affordable Seniors' Rental Housing apartments within the 65-unit Jack Nelson Annex project.

CMHC provided $10,000 in Seed Funding toward the development of this project. The Province of British Columbia also arranged approximately $4 million in long-term financing for the building.

The District of Sechelt waived $508,226 development cost charges and provided tax exemptions on the project for ten years. The Sunshine Coast Credit Union contributed $50,000 in equity. Delta Cable provided $10,000 for this development. The Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society provided the land valued at $650,000 and $275,000 in cash equity.

"Thanks to the support from the federal and provincial governments, the Jack Nelson Annex provides a much-needed increase in affordable housing for our seniors and people with disabilities. Sechelt is proud to have contributed to this project," said Mayor John Henderson, District of Sechelt. "On behalf of our council and previous councils who were champions of this undertaking, I congratulate the Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society for their tireless efforts to make the annex a reality."

The Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society manages and operates Jack Nelson Annex, including the 31 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments. The society owns and operates 28 other apartments in the building. The society has been providing quality, affordable housing options to low-income seniors and people with disabilities on the Sunshine Coast for over 40 years.

"Communities along the Sunshine Coast like Sechelt are highly desired places to live for many seniors," said Brian Leckie, president of the Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society. "Our society is thankful to all our project partners that made the opening of Jack Nelson Annex a reality. These apartments bring seniors in this community more affordable housing options than ever before."

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.

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-schl.gc.ca

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.

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. 27, 2012 Ministry of Energy and Mines

and Minister Responsible for Housing

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Jack Nelson Annex

The Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society's Jack Nelson Annex, located at 5583 Ocean Ave. in Sechelt, provides 65 new apartments for seniors, including:

• Thirty-one Seniors' Rental Housing apartments managed and operated by the Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society.
• Twenty-eight affordable apartments, for independent seniors and people with disabilities, owned and operated by the Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society.
• Six studio apartments rented by Vancouver Coastal Health.

Partners and Funding:

The total capital cost of this project is approximately $10.1 million.

• The Government of Canada provided approximately $2.3 million under Canada's Economic Action Plan. CMHC also provided $10,000 in Seed Funding toward the development of this project.
• The Province of British Columbia provided approximately $2.3 million and arranged long term financing of approximately $4 million.
• The District of Sechelt waived $508,226 in development cost charges and provided tax exemptions on the project for ten years.
• The Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society provided the land valued at $650,000 and $275,000 in cash equity.
• The Sunshine Coast Credit Union provided $50,000 in equity.
• Delta Cable provided $10,000 in equity.

Sunshine Coast Lions Housing Society:

Established over 40 years ago, the Sunshine Coast Lions Housing society is a non-profit society committed providing affordable living solutions to low-income seniors and people with disabilities along the communities of the Sunshine Coast.

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