CHF Canada media release

Federal budget’s attention to renovation, housing will help the economy and those in need, co-ops say

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January 27, 2009, Ottawa – The federal budget’s allocation of funding for more affordable housing and renovation of existing stock will help deal with Canada’s affordable housing problem and put Canadians back to work, the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada said today.

Canada’s 2,200 housing co-ops welcomed the $1 billion fund to renovate existing social housing and for energy retrofits.  “These funds will help preserve Canada’s investment in affordable housing,” said Nicholas Gazzard, executive director. “They will allow housing co-ops to renovate their buildings, save money on energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Our members have been promoting this idea for several years and will put these funds to good use.”

“Increased funding for the Affordable Housing Initiative is also very welcome. We’ve seen housing starts drop off across Canada, while housing affordability is an increasing problem for low-income Canadians,” Gazzard said. “Development of new affordable housing will create new jobs while investing in housing that is needed in communities across the country.”

Gazzard pointed out that both of these measures will help create jobs for construction workers and have an impact on the forest and manufacturing industries.  “With this budget, the government has made a wise decision to stimulate the economy and deliver real results for Canadians in need of housing.”

“We look forward to more details about this funding.  We are always looking for ways to increase the stock of co-operative housing in Canada, as well as preserving the housing we already have.”

CHF Canada is the national voice of the Canadian co-operative housing movement. Its members include nearly 900 non-profit housing co-operatives and other organizations across Canada.  More than a quarter of a million Canadians live in housing co-ops, in every province and territory.

For more information, contact:

Nicholas Gazzard, Executive Director (613) 230-2201 ext. 230, or (613) 293-8913 (cell) ngazzard @ chfcanada.coop

Merrilee Robson, Program Manager, Communications, 1-877-533-2667, ext. 122, or (778) 227-3864 (cell) mrobson @ chfcanada.coop

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