Sept-Îles, February 25, 2005 -- Seniors now have more affordable housing options thanks to the construction of 40 new housing units on Brochu Street, in Sept-Îles. The Résidence Vents-et-Marées required investments of more than $4.6 million thanks to the participation of public, private, and community partners.This announcement was made 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 Thomas J. Mulcair, Minister of Sustainable Development and Parks, and MNA for Chomedey, on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions. Minister Mulcair; Rodrigue Vigneault, on behalf of the Mayor of Sept-Îles; and Lorraine Dubuc-Johnson, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Sept-Îles Municipal Housing Bureau, were present at the inauguration ceremony.Financial contributions for the development of this project, totalling $3,056,386, are being made under the Affordable Housing Agreement, with 50 per cent coming from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and 50 per cent from the Société d'habitation du Québec and the community, which provided $723,860, including a contribution of $604,860 from the municipality of Sept-Îles. The other costs are being assumed by the organization through a mortgage loan secured by the Société d'habitation du Québec."The new housing units inaugurated today will provide seniors with a quality environment that will allow them to stay in their community, near their families and friends," said the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre. "Housing is a priority for the Government of Canada, and we are pleased to work in cooperation with the Government of Quebec, the municipality, and community sector representatives to provide more people with better housing in their community.""The development of the 40 housing units of the Résidence Vents-et-Marées is a concrete gesture made by the community in its will to enable frail seniors to benefit from adequate housing while remaining in their community. As well, this residence is an excellent example of a successful partnership between governments, the municipality, and the community sector," said Mr. Mulcair.Among the residents, 20 households can benefit from the Rent Supplement program, which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals who would otherwise have to spend more than 25 per cent of their income on housing.It should be recalled that an Affordable Housing Agreement was signed between Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Société d'habitation du Québec in 2001. It provides for a total contribution of $323.3M to increase the supply of affordable housing in Quebec, with $161.65M from the federal government, $104M from the Quebec government and $57M from the municipalities participating in the program.Sources:Hélène BéginCommunications AdvisorCommunicationsSociété d'habitation du Québec(418) 644-5762Marie-Chantale LortieCommunications and MarketingCMHC(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
