Government of Canada Celebrates Official Opening of Kaljas Homes in Kitchener
Posted by: Toronto Real Estate Admin / Category: News Bulletin
KITCHENER, ON, July 27, 2011 — The Government of Canada joined with community partners today to officially open a 17-bed affordable housing project today. The newly renovated building will provide room and boarding services for people experiencing homelessness and for those with special needs in Kitchener.
Stephen Woodworth Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); project sponsors Peter and Maggie Kaljas along with guests and tenants made the announcement.
“I am pleased to celebrate the official opening today of Kaljas Homes here in Kitchener and commemorate Anna Kaljas who devoted her life to helping those in need in our community,” said MP Stephen Woodworth. “As a partner, our government is delivering aid to make a difference in the lives of people with special needs or at risk of homelessness as they try to get their lives back on track.”
The federal government provided $245,239 to Kaljas Homes through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rooming House Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) to repair existing structural and system (electrical, heating, plumbing) deficiencies, in the 17-bed affordable housing building.
Rooming House RRAP offers financial assistance to pay for mandatory repairs to rooming houses occupied by low-income tenants.
“Anna Kaljas devoted much of her life to helping people less fortunate in her community,” said Maggie Kaljas. “The Kaljas family is grateful for this funding which has enabled us to make the repairs necessary to continue to provide a safe and supportive home to our residents and carry on Anna`s legacy. She would be proud.”
Kaljas Homes provides affordable and appropriate housing for persons with significant mental health issues and / or substance abuse. They provide shelter, food clothing and basic essentials. Kaljas Homes works with community agencies to support residents to learn day-to-day life skills to reach a balance in their lives and establish goals for their future.
CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency for more than 65 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, environmentally sustainable, affordable housing solutions, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.
In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. As a part of this investment, the renovation programs for low-income households, including the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program, were extended for two years to March 31, 2011. For Ontario this represents almost $73 million in federal funding for renovation programs off-reserve.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan build on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion to build new and renovate existing social housing for low-income Canadians, plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
Media inquiries:
Dean D’Souza
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
416-250-2760
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
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Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2011/2011-07-27-1000.cfm
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