Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in Affordable Housing in Saint-Stanislas

SAINT-STANISLAS, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - March 11, 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.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

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 social housing. In Quebec, this represents some 129,550 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

To find out more about how CMHC is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Société d'habitation du Québec

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Housing constitutes a structured response to numerous challenges and needs of Quebec society. Whether by helping to preserve the health of families and seniors, by addressing poverty, social exclusion and homelessness or by revitalizing neighbourhoods and regions, the Société d'habitation du Québec contributes to improving the quality of life of 230,000 households each year. The SHQ also supports job creation and the economic development of all regions of Quebec. That's why the Government of Quebec announced, in its latest budget, total funding of $231 million for the construction of 3,000 affordable housing units over the coming years.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the SHQ, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html. You may also visit Espace Habitat, a new Web magazine (in French only) that features, among other things, the benefits of the SHQ's initiatives on all of Quebec society.