Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

RICHMOND SOCIAL HOUSING BENEFITS FROM B.C. – CANADA PARTNERSHIP

RICHMOND – The Governments of Canada and British Columbia are investing more than $4 million in Richmond social housing through a cost-shared Housing Renovation Partnership (HRP). This joint agreement provides funding to renovate and retrofit social housing in greatest need of repair, creating an estimated 25 jobs.

“We’re realizing two important aims with this partnership,” says Richmond East MLA Linda Reid. “We’re revitalizing social housing and creating jobs at a time when our economy needs a boost.”

“The life of these homes will be extended by years,” says Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap. “Through these two projects we are building on our investments in both social housing and economic stimulus.”

“I’m very pleased to see us enhancing the quality of life for residents of Rosewood Towers and Rosewood Village,” says Richmond Centre MLA Rob Howard. “Safeguarding existing social housing also helps to keep housing affordable.”

“This is a win-win situation,” says Richmond MP Alice Wong. “Not only will this funding improve the availability and affordability of social housing in Richmond, but at the same time these construction projects will increase employment and stimulate our local economy. Such multiple benefit scenarios as this are at the very heart of the federal government’s Economic Action Plan.”

The Rosewood Towers and Rosewood Village social housing developments will receive a total of $4,035,286 for repairs and renovations:

* Rosewood Towers will receive $3,338,786 for work to increase residents’ safety through improvements to the site (such as improved lighting), measures to enhance energy efficiency, as well as installing new windows.
* Rosewood Village will receive $696,500 for work to improve energy efficiency.

Of the total $176.76 million announced, the majority of the funding, $163.7 million will be directed toward repairs at 81 social housing developments. The remainder of the funding, $13.06 million is being allocated to renovations that are underway at provincially-owned Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels.
The funding was made available as a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia.

This new initiative is part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program launched by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs over three years and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province.

Through Housing Matters BC, the Province is addressing a range of housing needs, from homelessness to affordable rental housing and homeownership. In 2009, the provincial housing budget is approximately $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001. To find out more about affordable housing in B.C., visit www.bchousing.org.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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