Feb. 19, 2011
Affordable Seniors' Housing Opens in Coquitlam

COQUITLAM - The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, gathered today to celebrate the opening of the Earl Haig Retirement Residence, a new 50-unit housing development for seniors.

"In Coquitlam and throughout the country, Canada's Economic Action Plan is working, said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. "These units represent an important addition to the housing stock in the Tri-Cities area. More importantly, the Earl Haig Retirement Residence offers seniors a new place to call home where they can continue live independently in a supportive, community environment."

"Earl Haig Retirement Residence gives seniors in our community better access to quality, affordable housing options," said Iain Black, Minister of Labour and MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam. "These new apartments give seniors and people with disabilities in the Tri-Cities area more and better choices for housing. Our government is committed to investing in projects like this that make a real difference in the lives of British Columbians."

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal and provincial governments are contributing a combined total of approximately $2.6 million for 18 Seniors' Rental Housing (SRH) units. The Earl Haig society provided the land equity, valued at approximately $3 million.

"For over 50 years, our society has committed to providing quality, affordable housing solutions for seniors," said David J. Fletcher, chairman of the Earl Haig Society. "The opening of this new development builds on our long-established commitment, providing area seniors with more affordable rental homes in the City of Coquitlam."

The Earl Haig Society has owned and managed an affordable housing apartment for seniors on this site since 1965. The Earl Haig Society (Coquitlam) is operating and managing the housing units, including the 18 SRH units.

The SRH initiative is a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which includes funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia. This initiative, initially announced by the two levels of government on April 8, 2009, will provide $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop approximately 1,300 new affordable rental housing units, which will help to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments are providing matching contributions of $61.79 million.

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

British Columbia's $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, building vital public infrastructure and stimulating local economies across the province.

For more information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca

To find out how CMHC is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan

In 2010-11, the Province will invest over $562 million to address a range of housing needs from homeless to affordable rental housing. Visit www.bchousing.org to find out more.

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