Construction is now underway at Anderson Gardens, a new 33-unit affordable housing development for seniors and persons with disabilities in Nelson funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia along with community partners.

"Our Government is investing in affordable housing here in Nelson to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those seniors who need it most," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Regional Minister for British 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). "This initiative will help people in our community access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs."

"The Province values the importance of providing seniors affordable housing options that allow them to remain in the community they know and love," said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing. "The apartments at Anderson Gardens offer seniors in need and people with disabilities quality, affordable housing that they can truly call home."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of approximately $3 million for the construction of 20 seniors' apartments within the 33-unit Anderson Gardens project.

The Province of British Columbia also invested over $3.2 million toward the development of the remaining 13 apartments and provided the land valued at $675,000. Columbia Basin Trust will provide $150,000 in equity and the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia will contribute $175,000 for the project. The Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays Branch will provide $250,000 towards this development.

"Columbia Basin Trust wants to help communities assist their vulnerable residents in finding safe, supportive and affordable housing," said Neil Muth, president and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust. "This project is one way we can do that, and we were pleased to provide $150,000 to help house seniors and persons with disabilities in Nelson."

"The project partners had a shared vision of building more affordable homes for local seniors," said Jack Wong, CEO of Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia. "By creating more housing options for people who need them, Anderson Gardens will realize this vision and contribute to a more sustainable community."

The Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays Branch will manage and operate Anderson Gardens. Incorporated in 1994, the Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays Branch is a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and promoting the mental health of all people through the provision of services, programming, advocacy and public education.

"This development provides Nelson seniors with quality, affordable housing, but more importantly it gives them peace of mind that their housing needs are met so they can focus on things that matters most to them," said Wally Eddy, board chair, Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays Branch. "I would like to thank all partners involved and I eagerly look towards the opening."

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 is helping 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 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

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
604 737-4064

Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482

BACKGROUNDER

Feb. 10, 2012 Ministry of Energy and Mines

and Minister Responsible for Housing

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Anderson Gardens

Anderson Gardens, located at 302 Anderson Street in Nelson, provides 33 new apartments for seniors, including 20 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Partners and Funding:

The total capital cost of this project is approximately $7.5 million.

• The Government of Canada provided close to $1.5 million under Canada's Economic Action Plan - Housing for Low-Income Seniors program toward 20 units.
• The Province of British Columbia contributed $1.5 million toward the 20 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments, provided over $3.2 million toward the remaining 13 apartments and the land for the project valued at $675,000.
• The Columbia Basin Trust provided $150,000 for the project.
• The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia contributed $175,000 toward this project.
• The Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays Branch provided $250,000 toward this development.

Columbia Basin Trust

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) delivers economic, social and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, call 1 800 505-8998 or visit: www.cbt.org

Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays Branch

The Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays Branch, a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1994, helps promote and raise awareness of mental health for all people through the provision of services, programming, advocacy and public education. For more information, please visit: www.kootenays.cmha.bc.ca

Media inquiries:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
604 737-4064

Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819 994-2482