Apr 15 2013
A new 45-unit apartment building in Winnipeg will provide safe, affordable homes for families and for adults with mental health challenges. The building will be jointly funded by the Governments of Canada and Manitoba and will be operated by Eden Health Care Services Inc.
The new project will be located at the corner of Molson Street and Kimberly Avenue in Winnipeg's East Kildonan area.
Manitoba's Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, and Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the funding announcement today.
"Safe and supportive housing is one of the most urgent needs of all Manitobans," said Irvin-Ross. "By providing affordable new housing for those who need it most we build a stronger, healthier community. This project is a good example of what can be accomplished when governments and communities work together."
"Through investments in affordable housing, the Government of Canada is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Manitoba and in all corners of the country," said MP Toet. "These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing access to safe, affordable homes for Canadian seniors, families and individuals."
Eden Health Care Services Inc. is a private non-profit corporation that offers mental health and housing programs as well as professional counselling services in five rural communities and Winnipeg. Eden is owned and governed by the Mennonite Churches of Manitoba and provides core mental health services. The proposed design incorporates features that will make the building accessible to residents with mobility issues. The project will include 19 one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units. Construction is expected to begin in the summer.
"Eden Health Care Services recognizes the importance of safe, affordable housing as a key contributor to good mental health," said Glen Klassen, Board Chair, Eden Health Care Services. "Housing with appropriate supports allows for the most positive experience of community. The most effective housing projects are those where appropriate supports are built into the apartment community and experienced in an integrated and supportive way."
The Government of Canada and Manitoba will provide joint funding of $11.9 million to help develop 45 units of affordable housing for families and adults in Winnipeg. The funding comes as a result of the $62 million Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Manitoba. The Province of Manitoba will use the funds under the new agreement to build more affordable housing and upgrade existing housing to ensure low-income Manitobans will have safe, stable homes.
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Manitoba, this represents some 40,700 households. 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.
HOMEWorks! is Manitoba's long-term housing strategy. Under this strategy, the province, through Manitoba Housing and Community Development continues to make significant investments in social and affordable housing. The province has committed to developing of 1,500 affordable housing units across the province and is well underway towards the construction of over 1,000 of these homes. HOMEWorks! supports ALL Aboard, Manitoba's poverty-reduction strategy, by increasing the supply of quality, affordable housing for low-income Manitobans. More information about HOMEWorks! is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing.