Canadian Mortgage News

January 2004 National News Archive

Over $3 Million Allocated to Renovate Housing Projects

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 17, 2004 — Six housing projects, totaling 247 units located across British Columbia, will receive over $3.2 million in funding under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) and Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP).

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Hedy Fry, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and MP for Vancouver Centre who said the programs, being provided through CMHC, include enhancements to repair and improve the accessibility of the housing stock in the province.

"The Government of Canada, through CMHC, is committed to rehabilitating housing in need of repair for low income households," said Ms. Fry. "These six projects will go along way to meeting the needs of seniors, low-income singles, families, persons with disabilities and victims of family violence in communities throughout B.C."

Funds are being provided to projects located in Vancouver, Oliver, Prince George, Nelson and Kelowna. The announcement was made at the Silver/Avalon Hotel in Vancouver, which will be renovated to provide rooming house accommodation for local residents.

The funding continues RRAP’s 30-year legacy of meeting the housing needs of Canadians. RRAP is a cornerstone of Canada’s national housing policy and is part of the Government of Canada’s national housing strategy, which includes a $1 billion investment in affordable housing.

For more information:

Deborah Taylor
CMHC
(613) 748-2586

(left to right): Shirley Chan (Liberal candidate for Vancouver East riding), Tina Konkin (Owner, Silver/Avalon Hotel), Ron Konkin (Owner, Silver/Avalon Hotel), the Honourable Hedy Fry, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre

The Honourable Hedy Fry, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre

A backgrounder including project details and a fact sheet on renovation programs are attached.

Backgrounder

A total 247 housing units will be renovated across British Columbia, funded through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) and Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP). The projects are:

The Silver/Avalon Hotel 86 units

165-175 West Pender Street, Vancouver CMHC funding: $1.1 million

This rooming house in the Downtown Eastside will provide housing for low-income singles, persons with disabilities and those at risk of homelessness.

Kiwanis Court 85 units

2151 Gordon Avenue, West Vancouver CMHC funding: $718,195

This is an independent living seniors complex.

Sandalwood Court 18 units

34235 97^th Street, Oliver CMHC funding: $496,738

The conversion of this motel will provide housing for singles, families, seniors and persons with disabilities.

George Street Shelter 15 units

144 George Street, Prince George CMHC funding: $486,000

NHI funding: $148,009

This shelter will provide safe, short-term emergency accommodation and services for female youth, women and their children. Through the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), the shelter will hire a support worker and drop-in centre staff to maintain year-round operation.

Ward Street Place 36 units

567 Ward Street, Nelson CMHC funding: $334,000

This building provides housekeeping room-type accommodation for low-income singles.

Kelowna Women’s Shelter 7 units

Kelowna CMHC funding: $126,000

This shelter provides housing and programs for abused women and children.

Fact Sheet - Renovation Programs

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s existing renovation programs, which help low-income Canadians, were extended by $384 million.

Improvements to the federal renovation programs were implemented recently to ensure the program is more effective in serving those most in need, including low-income Canadians living in substandard housing, Aboriginal people, seniors, persons with disabilities and victims of family violence. The changes were made following consultations and an extensive evaluation of the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP).

The changes include an increase in maximum program assistance levels to reflect current housing renovation costs. All assistance approved through the programs is now fully forgivable.

Improvements also include a change in the calculation of total household income in recognition of the additional costs faced by persons with disabilities.

Program Details

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) for Homeowners

This program provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners, who own and occupy housing, to enable them to repair their dwellings to meet a minimum level of health and safety. The maximum assistance available varies from $16,000 to $24,000 per household depending on geographic location.

Rental/Rooming House RRAP

This program provides assistance to landlords of affordable housing to pay for mandatory repairs to units and beds occupied by low-income tenants. The maximum assistance available varies from $24,000 to $36,000 per unit or $16,000 to $24,000 per bed depending on geographic location.

Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP)

The program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for victims of family violence; and in acquiring or building new shelters and second-stage housing where needed.

Conversion RRAP

This program provides financial assistance for the conversion of non-residential property into units or beds to create affordable housing for low-income households. The maximum assistance available varies from $24,000 to $36,000 per unit or $16,000 to $24,000 per bed depending on geographic location.

Emergency Repair Program (ERP)

This program provides assistance to low-income home owners or occupants in rural areas to undertake emergency repairs required for the continued safe occupancy of their homes. The maximum assistance available varies from $6,000 to $11,000 depending on geographic location.

RRAP for Persons with Disabilities

This program offers financial assistance to homeowners and landlords to undertake accessibility work to modify dwellings occupied or intended for occupancy by low-income persons with disabilities. The maximum assistance available depends on geographical location. For rental properties assistance varies from $24,000 to $36,000 per unit, and for homeowners and rooming houses, assistance varies from $16,000 to $24,000.

Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence (HASI)

This program provides assistance of up to $3,500 to homeowners and landlords to pay for minor home adaptations that will enable low-income seniors to live independently in their homes.

News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)