Canada’s Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Housing On Reserve in Ontario
Posted by: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News Bulletin
SARNIA, ON, June 30, 2010 — The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $500,000 as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for two First Nation communities in Ontario.
Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia – Lambton and Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament for Lambton – Kent – Middlesex, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.
“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Ontario,” said MP Davidson.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.
“This investment demonstrates our Government’s continued commitment to increase the supply of safe and affordable housing on-reserve, while strengthening the local economy,” added MP Shipley.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $65 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Ontario to address immediate housing needs.
Specifically, CMHC allocated $120,676 to retrofit 16 existing housing units on-reserve in Chippewas of Sarnia (Aamijiwnaang) and $397,189 to retrofit 32 existing housing units on-reserve in the Chippewas of Kettle Stony Point.
More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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.
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Backgrounder
Investment to Improve On-Reserve Social Housing
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations through targeted investments to build and renovate housing. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of commitments by the federal government to improve housing conditions in First Nations communities.
This commitment is in addition to the federal government’s annual investment, through Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), of approximately $277 million for on-reserve housing needs, and INAC’s investment of approximately $118 million annually for First Nations on-reserve in the form of shelter allowance payments under the Income Assistance Program.
Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has provided $400 million over two years to support on-reserve housing. Of the $400 million committed, $250 million will be delivered through CMHC over two years for the creation of new on-reserve housing ($125 million) and the repair and renovation of existing federally-assisted on-reserve social housing ($125 million). The remaining $150 million will be delivered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for lot servicing, renovations, new construction of high-density multi-unit dwellings, and renovations to support the conversion of band-owned housing to private ownership.
In 2007, the Government invested $300 million in the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which encourages market-based housing on-reserve.
Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2010/2010-06-30-1100.cfm