Seniors in Richmond now have increased access to affordable housing at The Maple Residences, a new building providing 144 units of seniors housing, funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia along with community partners.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our Government is taking concrete action to help ensure economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth," said the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "Funding projects like The Maple Residences will not only improve the overall housing conditions for seniors, but also helps to stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

"Seniors are the cornerstone of our community. It is important that our government makes the needs of our seniors a top priority," said John Yap, Minister of State for Multiculturalism and MLA for Richmond-Steveston. "I am excited that with The Maple Residences, seniors in Richmond will now have greater access to government-funded care. The 144-unit housing facility is a beautiful environment and will make a great home for our senior population."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of almost $4 million for the construction of 30 seniors' rental housing suites within the 144 unit Maple Residences project. The government of B.C. also provided approximately $34.4 million in financing. Steveston Unit 284 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Association provided the land, valued at approximately $8.3 million.

"It's wonderful to celebrate the fruition of all our hard work with today's opening of The Maple Residences," said Chuck McDonald, president of Steveston Unit 284 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Association. "I'd like to thank all the partners on this project. By working with us you helped our vision of safe, affordable housing for Richmond seniors become a reality."

The 30 units of Seniors' Rental Housing, as well as the 114 remaining seniors' independent living units, will be managed and operated by the Steveston 284 Seniors' Housing Society.

"Our society is committed to providing safe, affordable homes for seniors in Richmond," said Mel Goodwin, President of Steveston 284 Seniors' Housing Society. "The Maple Residences is a tangible example of what can be accomplished when all partners come together with the same vision."

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. This investment 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 throughout 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.

Learn More:

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

Over the last decade, the government of B.C. has invested $2.8 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

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

The Maple Residences is a new development located at 11900 No. 1 Road in Richmond. The complex includes four four-storey, wood-frame buildings connected in an "H" pattern. A fifth building will be a commercial enterprise comprised of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Association clubhouse with additional retail space.

The 144-unit complex includes 30 suites of affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities under the Seniors' Rental Housing initiative. The remaining 114 suites are for seniors living independently.

The Steveston 284 Seniors' Housing Society will manage and operate all 144 units, providing some hospitality services (meals, housekeeping, laundry services for linen), recreational activities and 24/7 security.

Partners and Funding:

The total capital cost of this project is approximately $46.6 million.

• The Government of Canada provided approximately $2.2 million under Canada's Economic Action Plan, $57,500 in Proposal Development Funding (PDF) and $10,000 in Seed funding.
• The Province of British Columbia provided approximately $1.7 million and approximately $34.4 million in construction financing.
• Steveston Unit 284 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans of Canada provided the land, valued at approximately $8.3 million.

Steveston 284 Seniors' Housing Society:

Established in 2009, the Steveston 284 Seniors' Housing Society is committed to providing quality, affordable housing for seniors through the development and management of The Maple Residences in Richmond.

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