$14 Million Investment Announced for HRM Affordable Housing

NOTE: A list of housing projects that will receive contributions follows this release.

The provincial and federal governments are investing more than $14 million into affordable housing in Halifax.

About $11 million is to repair and renovate social housing around the city. An additional $3 million will be used to build a 21-unit building in Spryfield for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities.

Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse, with National Defence Minister Peter MacKay, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, made the announcement today, May 10.

"The province is committed to making life better for families in Nova Scotia. Housing is a fundamental part of the equation," said Ms. Peterson-Rafuse. "We are very happy to improve and increase affordable housing in metro Halifax. This investment will mean more families, seniors and people with disabilities will be living in safe, comfortable, accessible homes."

"Government remains committed, through our ongoing Economic Action Plan, to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Nova Scotia," said Mr. MacKay. "That's why we're proud to be investing in the construction and renovation of these units in Halifax, which will provide safe, affordable homes for years to come."

The $3-million Ida Mae Marriott project in Spryfield will have eighteen units for low-income seniors and three for persons with disabilities.

The Greystone project, also in Spryfield, will receive $5.9 million to repair and renovation 246 public housing units for seniors and families. Repairs will include improvements to building exteriors, roofs, siding, windows, doors and kitchen upgrades.

The remaining funds, nearly $5 million, will be distributed among 10 HRM projects to help repair and renovate 950 units for seniors and families.

The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to the investment under the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

About 1,400 affordable housing units have been created or preserved around Nova Scotia, through the Affordable Housing Program. For more information visit www.gov.ns.ca/coms/affordablehousing .

For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca .

Housing projects that will receive contributions are:

• Acadia Square Lodge-North
• Ahern Manor
• Alderney Manor
• Greystone
• Ida Mae Marriott Spryfield
• Joseph Howe Manor
• Nova Court (Dartmouth)
• Sir John Thompson Manor
• Uniacke Square Family
• Flip Flop Housing Co-operative
• Maria's Housing Co-operative Limited
• Alliance Housing Co-operative