SAINT-TITE, June 20, 2006 Seniors who are independent or have slightly limited mobility now have more affordable housing options thanks to the construction of a 50-unit annex to the Résidence LM, on Francur Street, in Saint-Tite. Out of this number, 47 units are subsidized under the private component of the Affordable Housing Québec program.This announcement was made today by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and by Julie Boulet, Minister for Transport, Minister responsible for the Mauricie region and MNA for Laviolette, on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Regions. In addition to Julie Boulet, Reynald Périgny, Mayor of the municipality of Saint-Tite, Lisette Marchand, owner of the Résidence LM, residents and community partners attended the event.This expansion project, which required investments of $2.3 million, was completed thanks to the participation of public and private partners. The government financial contributions for the development of 47 of the 50 additional housing units, totalling $300,000, were 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 $150,000 in financial assistance for this housing project, while the SHQ is contributing a sum of $105,000. The municipality of Saint-Tite, for its part, is providing an amount of $45,000."The new Government of Canada is pleased to be working in close cooperation with our partners to provide seniors who are independent or have slightly reduced mobility in Saint-Tite with safe and affordable housing in their community," indicated the Honourable Diane Finley."The Government of Quebec's financial support for the Résidence LM confirms our will to develop sustainable resources to meet the needs of seniors who are independent or have slightly reduced mobility. I am therefore very proud of the excellent outcome that we achieved by associating ourselves with the Government of Canada and the municipality of Saint-Tite," said Minister Boulet.The Governments of Canada and Quebec signed two agreements to increase the supply of affordable housing in the province. The first was in 2001 and the second, with additional funding, in August 2004. These agreements provide for a total contribution of $473 million, with $236.5 million from the federal government and an equivalent sum on the part of the Quebec government and the municipalities participating in the Affordable Housing Québec and AccèsLogis Québec programs.The development of this project is part of the Government of Quebec's initiative to produce 20,000 social, community and private housing units for low- and moderate-income households, by 2009. This initiative is notably supported by federal funds made available under affordable housing agreements. Sources: Hélène Bégin Communications Advisor Communications Société d'habitation du Québec 418-643-5033Sophie Crête Communications and Marketing Advisor Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 514-496-4025Information: Jonathan Trudeau Press Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Regions 418-691-2050 514-873-2622
