Seniors and people with disabilities in New Hazelton are benefiting from increased access to affordable housing at Roche View Lodge, after 10 units funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia along with community partners, were added to the existing building.

"Our Government remains committed to helping seniors and people with disabilities in British Columbia and throughout the country. Roche View Lodge is providing safe, affordable housing to many residents in our community while creating jobs and stimulating our economy," said Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George - Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development). "We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security.''

"We know there is a need for affordable housing in smaller communities like New Hazelton to help community members, especially seniors, stay in the district they helped to build," said Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing. "The addition at Roche View Lodge was built using modular housing, which was an innovative and cost efficient way to provide 10 additional homes for New Hazelton seniors in need."

Through an amendment to the Canada - British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of approximately $1.6 million for the construction of 10 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments in New Hazelton.

With the additional units, there are now a total of 20 homes for seniors in the building. Roche View Lodge Society operates and manages the development.

"The new units are fully tenanted and have benefited the lives of 10 individuals from our community," said Allan Berg, chair, Roche View Lodge Society. "We greatly appreciate the funding from both the federal and provincial governments that made this project possible."

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, first 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.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing. In British Columbia, this represents an estimated 68,050 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing.

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.

Economic Action Plan 2013 continues this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. More than 146,769 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013.

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

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.gc.ca

Since 2001, the Government of B.C. has invested $3.6 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 98,000 B.C. households will benefit from a diverse range of provincial housing programs and services. To find out more, visit: www.bchousing.org

A backgrounder follows.

Media inquiries:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064

Johanna Quinney
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Social Development)
613 697-4449
johanna.quinney@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Roche View Lodge

Roche View Lodge, is a seniors housing development located at 4942 11th Ave. in New Hazelton. With the 10 new modular Senior's Rental Housing units, there are now a total of 20 units in the development.

Modular housing has been used extensively for 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 the 10-unit Seniors' Rental Housing addition at Roche View Lodge is approximately $1.6 million.

• The Government of Canada provided more than $742,500 through Canada's Economic Action Plan - Housing for Low-Income Seniors and Housing for Persons with Disabilities.
• The B.C. government provided $880,200 and the land valued at $26,500.

Media inquiries:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064

Johanna Quinney
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Social Development)
613 697-4449
mailto:johanna.quinney@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca