Mar 12 2013
As a result of the combined efforts of the governments of Canada and Quebec and their local partners, semi-independent seniors in Saint-Stanislas now have access to 14 affordable housing units adapted to their needs.
The opening of the Manoir des Deux Rivières, the construction of which required a total investment of nearly $2.1 million, was marked today by the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The ceremony took place in the presence of Noëlla Champagne, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Champlain, on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ); Alain Guillemette, Mayor of Saint- Stanislas; and local partners.
The Government of Canada, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, and the Government of Quebec, under the AccèsLogis Québec program of the SHQ, jointly invested more than $1 million in the construction of this residence. In addition, the SHQ has secured the mortgage loan of close to $845,000 taken out by the Coopérative de solidarité en habitation de Saint-Stanislas to complete the financing of the project. The community contributed a total of nearly $470,000, including over $380,000 from the Municipality of Saint-Stanislas.
"The Government of Canada is dedicated to helping those in need in Quebec. Through projects like this one, our government is providing safe, affordable housing to seniors in our community, while also creating jobs and stimulating our economy," said Minister Blaney.
"Thanks to the concerted efforts of a group of citizens from this community, seniors can now live in a beautiful residence, right here in Saint-Stanislas. Moving away to the city is no longer a necessary step to enjoy a good quality of life! Hats off to everyone involved in this great project," said MNA Noëlla Champagne.
The Manoir des Deux Rivières is centrally located in the village of Saint-Stanislas, close to all services. The housing complex includes a communal dining room and lounge, where tenants can socialize and have visits from their loved ones.
Just over $240,000 in additional financial assistance over five years, assumed by the SHQ (90 per cent) and the Municipality of Saint-Stanislas (10 per cent), enables all the tenants of the Manoir des Deux Rivières to benefit from the Rent Supplement program, ensuring that they will pay only 25 per cent of their income on housing and thereby helping to increase their buying power for other necessities.