EDMUNDSTON, August 15, 2006 Non elderly singles, persons with disabilities and seniors in Edmundston will have access to more affordable housing with the construction of Habitat Plus Inc., a new 24 unit housing project. The housing project received $780,000 under the Canada New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans' Affairs and Regional Minister for New Brunswick, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, along with the Honourable Madeleine Dubé, Provincial Minister, Family and Community Services, made the announcement today. "Canada's new government is proud to work with our provincial and private sector partners to provide more affordable housing options for the residents of New Brunswick,'' said Minister Thompson. "The development of this project will allow 12 households from the Edmundston area to live in a quality environment at an affordable cost." "Such partnership with the private sector helps us improve the quality of life of many New Brunswickers by creating more long term affordable housing in our province," said Madeleine Dubé, Provincial Minister, Family and Community Services. The project, developed by Guy Long, received $300,000 in federal funding to offset the construction costs totaling $1.9 M, as well as $480,000 in rent supplements from the Province of New Brunswick for 12 of the 24 units. The Canada New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement involves investments of over $45 million in the creation of affordable housing units in New Brunswick. Contact: Robert DuguayCommunicationsFamily and Community Services506-444-3684 Patricia MontreuilMarketing and Communications ConsultantCanada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 506-851-2229 Backgrounder Canada New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement Phase I Objectives: To create and sustain rental housing for low- to moderate-income New Brunswick households through new construction or rehabilitation. Housing must be affordable for at least 10 years. Program: Funding under this agreement will be used for a Rental Housing Program. The program will create and sustain in excess of 600 units of rental housing for low- to moderate-income households. Funding is available to private non-profits, cooperatives, community or private developers interested in developing projects for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, non-elderly singles, disabled persons and persons with special needs. Administration: The program will be administered by the New Brunswick Department of Family and Community Services. Family and Community Services is responsible for the selection of affordable housing projects. Financial Provisions: Maximum CMHC funding under the agreement is $14.98 million to be matched by the Province of New Brunswick for a total of $29.96 million. Overall average CMHC funding will not exceed $25,000 per unit. Province of New Brunswick will provide rent supplements for low- to moderate-income households who occupy their housing. Phase II Phase II of the Agreement increases the total investment under the Canada New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement by $15.14 million in funding. The Government of New Brunswick will contribute at least 50 per cent of the matching funding; up to 10 per cent may come from municipalities and other third parties. Under Phase II, funding will be: used for the Rental Housing Program in Phase I plus a new rent supplement program; targeted to urban areas with considerable housing needs; and targeted to persons on or eligible to be on a waiting list for social housing.
