E.B.Dungey Realty Ltd. Brokerage

ST. THOMAS, May 1, 2009 — A ceremony was held today to celebrate the completion of renovations to the 79-year old YWCA St. Thomas – Elgin women’s residence.

The YWCA St. Thomas – Elgin has been providing much-needed services to women in Elgin County since 1902. It is a not-for-profit provider of assistance programs, emergency, short-term and long-term housing for women in need.

The federal government provided $231,288 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) to renovate and upgrade the building. This program provides financial assistance to bring properties for lower-income households up to minimum standards of health and safety.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Joe Preston, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for CMHC. “These renovations will provide women with access to safe housing and the support they need to help them start a new page in their lives.”

The YWCA St. Thomas – Elgin used the federal funding to make major repairs to the walls, floors, fire escape, kitchen and bathrooms and also to upgrade the interior, windows and electrical systems of the three-storey, 20 bed-unit building. 

“For over 30 years our priority has been to provide emergency, short-term and long- term housing to women in need,” said Marla Champion, Executive Director, YWCA St. Thomas – Elgin. “This project has also helped us to provide a much-needed lift to both a historical building and women’s spirits.”

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years to build new and existing social housing, and lending up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

As Canada’s national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) draws on over 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country. For more information, call 1-800-668-2642.

Media inquiries:

Nicole Burgers
Communications Consultant
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Tel.: 416-250-2760

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
Tel.: 819-994-2482

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Article source: http://www.cmhc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2009/2009-05-01-1300.cfm

Tags: Toronto House, Toronto Housing, Toronto Realtor

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