Government of Canada to fund Safe and Affordable Housing in Vernon

VERNON, BC, Feb. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why, in May 2018, the Government launched the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), the largest program of its kind in Canadian history.

Today in Vernon, Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs), on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a $2.27 million federal government financial commitment to help build 38 units at Vernon Native Housing Society's Thunderbird Manor project.

Thanks to this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and to investments from partners including the Government of British Columbia which provided $7.9 million and the City of Vernon which waived development fees, the Vernon Native Housing Society (VNHS) project will provide homes to at least 38 families and individuals, Indigenous elders, people with accessibility challenges and families living off-reserve.

Established in 1989, VNHS is a not-for-profit organization that provides low-cost rental housing to low-income families and individuals, including First Nations people residing in the city of Vernon.

Quotes:

"We believe everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed and this is why we are extremely happy to be supporting this wonderful project in Vernon through the National Housing Strategy. I am proud to be part of a government that works in a spirit of collaboration with all partners to enable all Canadians to build a better life for themselves and their community." –Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs)

"We appreciate the federal government's contribution to this much-needed affordable housing project. Partnerships like this are key to addressing the housing crisis in British Columbia. I look forward to seeing the positive difference this development will make for the Indigenous families who will call it home." – Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

"Without this partnership between CMHC, BC Housing, and Vernon Native Housing Society, this project would not have come to fruition. Vernon Native Housing Society is very pleased to have this opportunity to house our Elders, persons with accessibility challenges and aboriginal families, and we look forward to bringing our partnership with BC Housing to another level as we continue our mandate of providing low-cost rental housing to low income individuals of Native and non-Native ancestry." – Valerie Chiba, President, Vernon Native Housing Society 

"The Aboriginal Housing Management Association is the first of its kind not for profit Indigenous housing authority. We leverage the collective impact of our membership to provide safe and secure housing for urban, rural, and northern Indigenous peoples in the province of British Columbia, Canada." – Margaret Pfoh, CEO of Aboriginal Housing Management Association. 

Quick facts:

• Total capital cost of the project is approximately $10 million.
• With the new building, VNHS aims to achieve energy savings of 27.5% and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 67.3% compared to the NECB in 2015.
• 8 units will be fully accessible.
• 20 of the 38 units will be affordable, with rental rates at 80% of the median market rents in the area.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, Veterans and young adults.
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
• Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Associated links:

• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, visit our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn,Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
• Read Homes for B.C., government's 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British

Columbians: https://bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation