Seniors living on low-income are benefiting from the 33 affordable apartments funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia at The Remy, which recently opened in central Richmond.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is taking concrete action to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development. "Funding projects like The Remy helps to improve the overall housing conditions for seniors in Richmond and also helps to stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

"The Remy is the first social housing development constructed under the BC Building Code change our government brought in that allows for six-storey, wood frame residential buildings," said Rich Coleman, Minister Responsible for Housing. "It incorporates subsidized seniors housing, affordable homes for families and a daycare that will be a resource for residents and the community. The Remy illustrates what we can accomplish through strong partnerships with all levels of government, the private sector and the community."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments contributed a combined total of approximately $4.75 million for the purchase of 33 affordable Seniors' Rental Housing (SRH) apartments at The Remy. The B.C. government provided a grant of $335,771, and interim construction financing of $14.9 million towards an additional 48 affordable apartments for families and singles. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. also provided $640,000 towards the 48 affordable apartments.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. manages the 33 affordable apartments for seniors and the 48 affordable apartments for families and singles.

"It's amazing to see what can be achieved when partners come together for a common purpose - to create affordable housing for those that need it most," said Queenie Choo, chief executive officer, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. "We are proud to add 81 affordable housing units at The Remy to our portfolio and know that these units will provide safe comfortable homes for clients for decades to come."

The Seniors' Rental Housing initiative was 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 (CEAP) and by the Government of British Columbia. This initiative, announced 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.

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. Close to 177,600 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 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

BACKGROUNDER

The Remy

The Remy, located at 9388 Cambie Rd. in Richmond, provides 33 affordable Seniors' Rental Housing apartments and 48 affordable housing units for families and singles.

In addition to the affordable housing apartments, The Remy apartment complex offers 178 market units and a 60 space children's daycare. The Remy is also the first six-storey wood frame residential development built in B.C. and features a number of energy-efficient building features.

Partners and Funding:

• The Government of Canada provided a grant of $2,375,000 from CEAP: Housing for Low-Income Seniors for the 33 SRH units.
• The Government of British Columbia provided a matching grant of $2,375,000 for the SRH units, a grant of $335,771, and interim construction financing of $14.9 million.
• The S.U.C.C.E.S.S. provided $640,000.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

Established in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service agencies in British Columbia. It is a charitable organization providing services in settlement, language training, employment, family and youth counseling, business and economic development, health care, housing and community development. For more details, please visit: www.success.bc.ca

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