Seniors and people with disabilities in Creston celebrated the one-year anniversary of Crestbrook Gardens, a 24-unit affordable housing development 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 David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development. "Funding projects like Crestbrook Gardens will not only improve the overall housing conditions for seniors and persons with disabilities in Creston, but also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

"Developments like Crestbrook Gardens make a real difference in the quality of life for seniors in the community," said Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East. "Affordable housing is a fundamental part of a sustainable, healthy community and I want to thank all our partners in this development."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of approximately $3.6 million for the construction of 24 Seniors' Rental Housing apartments in Creston. The Town of Creston provided the land, valued at $48,500 and waived municipal equity valued at $89,000.

Columbia Basin Trust has committed $425,000 to the overall capital costs of eight sites in the Columbia Basin region for a total of 116 units under the Seniors' Rental Housing initiative. This includes projects that have been built in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke and Valemount.

"The Town of Creston identified the need to alleviate the growing demand for affordable housing for our seniors and persons with disabilities," said Mayor Ron Toyota, Town of Creston. "We've already witnessed the positive impact these apartments have had in our community, connecting our seniors with affordable housing, allowing our disabled and seniors to remain independent and close to family and friends."

"A one-year anniversary is a wonderful way to celebrate a project that not only was intended to make a difference in the lives of seniors, but has already made a difference in the lives of seniors," said Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust president and CEO. "Credit goes to the community for all its work and we're pleased to partner with government and local organizations who want to improve well-being for Basin residents."

Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays manages and operates the building.

"Safe and comfortable housing is a fundamental need for good mental health and we are delighted to celebrate the continued success of Crestbrook Gardens today," said Janice Ivan, executive director, Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays. "I'd like to thank all levels of government and community partners for their support and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones ahead with our residents."

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 600,000 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. A total of 147,714 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to Sept. 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-schl.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 Contacts:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064

Andrew McGrath
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State
(Social Development)
819 953-2350
andrew.mcgrath@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Rachel Lucas
Columbia Basin Trust
250 426-1103

BACKGROUNDER

Crestbrook Gardens

Crestbrook Gardens, located at 200-11th Ave. in Creston, provides 24 units of affordable modular housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

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 this project is approximately $3.7 million.

• The Government of Canada provided more than $1.7 million through Canada's Economic Action Plan - Housing for Low-Income Seniors and Housing for Persons with Disabilities.
• The Government of B.C. provided over $1.8 million.
• The Town of Creston provided the land, valued at $48,500 and waived municipal equity valued at approximately $89,000.
• Columbia Basin Trust has committed $425,000 to the overall capital costs of eight sites in the Columbia Basin region for a total of 116 units under the Seniors' Rental Housing initiative. This includes projects that have been built in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Baynes Lake, Golden, Revelstoke and Valemount.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays

Canadian Mental Health Association - Kootenays is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting mental health through the provision of services, programming advocacy and public education.

Media Contacts:

Fergus McCann
BC Housing
778 452-6445

Andrea Scott
CMHC Communications
BC Region
604 737-4064

Andrew McGrath
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State
(Social Development)
819 953-2350
andrew.mcgrath@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Rachel Lucas
Columbia Basin Trust
250 426-1103