The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, celebrated the construction progress of an affordable rental housing development in Langford today, which will provide new homes for Aboriginal families and individuals.

The project will provide 36 homes - 30 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom units - and is situated where residents will have easy access to health services, a number of schools and parks, and community centre and recreation centre. The apartment homes will be above ground-level commercial space, another bonus for future residents who will benefit from a variety of new and existing nearby stores.

The building, located at 550 Goldstream Ave., will feature Energy Star rated appliances and windows, water-efficient landscaping, low-flow fixtures and high-efficiency maintenance systems.

Construction is expected to be complete by February 2016.

Quick facts:

• The governments of Canada and British Columbia will provide a combined investment of almost $4.9 million through the Affordable Rental Housing initiative - www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Creating/ARHi - under the Canada-B.C. Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011 www.cmhc- (cmhc-schl.gc.ca) schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2011/2011-07-04-0930.cfm (cmhc-schl.gc.ca) - which was extended until 2019 - www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2014/2014-03-04-1530.cfm
• The B.C. government will provide almost $6.3 million in construction financing.
• The City of Langford is providing $263,600 in municipal grants and reductions.
• Aboriginal Housing Management Association will provide a yearly operating subsidy of $43,868.
• M’akola Development Services will provide approximately $1.9 million of equity.
• The project will be jointly owned by M’akola Development Services and M’akola Housing Society. Once complete, both enterprises will move their provincial operations into the commercial component of the development.

Quotes:

John Duncan, Minister of State, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) —

“It is a pleasure to see that the new development will help improve the lives of people in Langford. Our government is proud to invest in housing in this city and across the country and to help families access affordable housing that meets their needs.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing —

“We are committed to working with our partners to improve access to affordable housing for Aboriginal families. Having stable housing is the first step in building healthy, safe neighbourhoods, and supporting the well-being of families is a top priority for the Province.”

Mayor Stewart Young, City of Langford —

“This development contributes to our goals as a municipality to address the issue of affordable housing in Langford. We continually seek ways to collaborate with different levels of government and the private sector to deliver high quality housing solutions. It’s tremendously rewarding to see years of advocacy and hard-working coming together right in front of our eyes. We can’t wait to see the completed building, and to meet the families who will be living here.”

Ray Gerow, ceo, Aboriginal Housing Management Association —

“AHMA is proud to be a partner in initiatives that increase the number of affordable housing options available to low- to moderate-income families. Soon, this development will provide safe and affordable housing for 36 families in Langford. Its ideal location near schools and amenities will help these families better engage with their community. We look forward to continuing our work with the Province and our municipal partners to meet the social housing needs of aboriginal and non-aboriginal families in B.C.”

Kevin Albers, ceo, M’akola Group of Societies —

“We are thrilled to move our provincial head office to the City of Langford, while also being able to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for families in this community. The City of Langford has been a constant supporter of the M’akola Group and this project further demonstrates what can be achieved by working with strong municipal partners. Both the City and the Province worked tirelessly with us to achieve this mixed-use development, which will house 36 families and nearly 20 staff.This development at 550 Goldstream marks another major milestone for our society, that will set in motion our next 30 years of providing, safe, affordable, and suitable housing to aboriginal and non-aboriginal families throughout B.C.“

Associated links:

• Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve 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 continued 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. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors, and families. This year, more than 102,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services. To find out more, go to: www.bchousing.org
• Formed in 1995, AHMA is a provincewide Aboriginal social housing management agency. Under the B.C. Aboriginal Social Housing Management agreement, administration of all Aboriginal social housing, programs, and services operated by 40 Aboriginal Housing Providers across the province (4,200 units) has been transferred from BC Housing to AHMA. This Aboriginal self-management model for social housing is the first of its kind in Canada. AHMA’s mission is “to lead a holistic, accountable, transparent, innovative housing authority that supports, inspires and responds to the needs of the B.C. Indigenous community through partnerships, relationship building, and preserving our culture.” For more information, visit: www.ahma-bc.org
• M’akola Group of Societies is the largest Aboriginal housing provider in British Columbia. M’akola houses nearly 5,000 family members in more than 1,500 homes across the Province. Formore than 30 years M’akola has been offering affordable housing to families, singles, couples, Elders and seniors. M’akola’s success has been based on our ongoing partnerships with government agencies, First Nations and other non-profit societies. Today M’akola employs nearly 100 full-time staff and continues to grow and expand its reach in B.C. For more information, visit: www.makola.bc.ca

Stay connected:

• Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca (twitter.com)
• Follow BC Housing on Twitter @BC_Housing (twitter.com)
• Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

Media Contacts:

Sonia Fecteau
CMHC
604 737-4072

Donna Cairns
BC Housing
604 439-4758