SAINT-FABIEN-DE-PANET, January 17, 2005 -- Seniors will soon have more affordable housing options thanks to the construction of nine new housing units on Du Foyer Street, in Saint-Fabien-de-Panet. This new $790,000 construction project will be developed thanks to the participation of public, private, and community partners.The inauguration of the Habitations Panet project was announced today by the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre, Minister of Transport and Political Lieutenant for Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, and by Norbert Morin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Parks and MNA for Montmagny-L'Islet, on behalf of Jean-Marc Fournier, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Sports and Recreation. Norbert Morin, MNA for Montmagny-L'Islet, Pierre Thibodeau, Mayor of Saint-Fabien-de-Panet, and Fernand Duchesneau, Chair of Habitations Panet, were present at the site visit.Financial contributions, totalling nearly $630,000, are being made under the Affordable Housing Agreement signed between Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ).CMHC is providing $197,968 in financial assistance, while the SHQ is contributing $231,092 to the housing project. This project is also benefiting from a contribution of $200,000 from the community, including $80,000 from the municipality of Saint-Fabien-de-Panet. The other costs are being assumed by the organization through a mortgage loan secured by the SHQ."The strength of our communities rests on housing. The Government of Canada is working on many fronts to address the housing needs of all Canadians," said the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre. "We are pleased to work in close cooperation with our partners in order to provide seniors with safe, affordable and comfortable housing in their community.""The Government of Quebec is delighted with the development of the nine new dwellings of the Habitations Panet project, which will allow seniors to benefit from adequate housing, while remaining in their community. What is more, this residence is an excellent example of a successful partnership between governments, the municipality and the community sector," said Mr. Morin.The development of this project is part of the Government of Quebec's initiative to produce 16,000 social, community and private housing units for low- and moderate-income households. This initiative is notably supported by federal funds made available under Affordable Housing Agreements.Ministers Fontana and Fournier signed an agreement, in August 2004, concerning additional funding for the second phase of the Affordable Housing Program, as Quebec became the first province to sign such an agreement. This makes for a total contribution of $150 million to increase the availability of affordable housing in Quebec. The federal contribution is $75 million, with an equivalent amount being provided by the Government of Quebec and the municipalities participating in the program. - 30 - Sources:Patricia LordCommunications AdvisorSociété d'habitation du Québec(418) 644-2024Marie-Chantale LortieCommunications and MarketingCanada Mortgage and Housing Corporation(514) 496-4025Information:Stéphane GosselinPress Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Sports and Recreation(418) 691-2050(514) 873-2622André FortinPress AssistantOffice of Minister Lapierre(613) 991-0700
