Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in New Affordable Housing in La Peche

The Government of Canada, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, and the Government of Quebec, under the AccesLogis program of the Societe d'habitation du Quebec (SHQ), contributed a total amount of nearly $1.5 million, while partners and the Municipality of La Peche invested nearly $2 million. Of this sum, more than $1.3 million will be provided by the Municipality of La Peche in the form of a capitalized tax rebate. Canada's Economic Action Plan was put in place to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments will invest, on a 50:50 cost-shared basis, $538 million in Quebec under the Affordable Housing Initiative Program Extension Agreement.

"Our government is committed to giving a hand-up to the people of Quebec during these tough economic times," said Minister Cannon. "Through projects like these, Year 2 of Canada's Economic Action Plan will continue to create jobs, stimulate communities in all corners of the country and support Canadian workers and families."

"The opening of these two establishments is excellent news and demonstrates the attention that our government is giving to the seniors of Quebec. Thanks to the combined efforts of the different partners that contributed to this mobilizing project, 24 households can now benefit from safe, quality housing that meets their needs, at an affordable cost," said MNA Stephanie Vallee, in the presence of Robert Bussiere, Mayor of La Peche and Chair of the Board of Directors of the La Peche Development Corporation, and community partners.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

Twelve tenants of these two housing projects can benefit from the SHQ's Rent Supplement program, which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals who would otherwise have to spend more than 25 per cent of their income on housing. The rent supplements provided will represent, over a five-year period, a total of nearly $183,350 in financial assistance, including $165,000 from the SHQ and more than $18,350 from the Municipality of La Peche.

Since 2003, 980 community housing units have been, or are being, developed in the Outaouais region, including 82 in the constituency of Gatineau, representing total investments of nearly $114 million by the Government of Quebec.

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.

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. For more information on SHQ programs and services, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/en/index.html.

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