October 14, 2009
Langley Social Housing Benefits from B.C. - Canada Partnership
"The joint funding through HRP will make sure the proper resources are in place to make a difference in people's lives," says Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Colman, Minister for Housing and Social Development. "This week was proclaimed Homelessness Action Week and that's what we are doing."
"This is an important investment for our community - providing local jobs while improving services for the homeless," says Langley MLA Mary Polak. "We are committed to not only creating new social housing but also ensuring current resources are sustained for years to come."
"This retrofit of Langley social housing units is part of our Government's commitment to working with communities across Canada to address homelessness and ensure that projects provide concrete and meaningful results for Canadians," says Langley MP Mark Warawa. "The HRP is a practical plan to provide affordable housing and combat homelessness and we're delivering on it. In fact, total annual federal spending on housing in Canada has never been higher."
The Eastleigh Crescent social housing development will receive the funding for repairs and renovations, focusing on mechanical and sustainability upgrades. Mechanical upgrades involve boiler work, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, and toilets, while sustainability upgrades include installing low flow fixtures, boiler upgrades, lighting retrofits, building air sealing, and improvements to exterior envelopes for enhanced thermal performance.
Of the total $176.76 million announced, the majority of the funding, $163.7 million will be directed toward repairs at 81 social housing developments. The remainder of the funding, $13.06 million is being allocated to renovations that are underway at provincially-owned Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels.
The funding was made available as 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 new initiative is part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program launched by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs over three years and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province.
Through Housing Matters BC, the Province is addressing a range of housing needs, from homelessness to affordable rental housing and homeownership. In 2009, the provincial housing budget is approximately $450 million, more than three times as much as in 2001. To find out more about affordable housing in B.C., visit www.bchousing.org.
