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CHF Canada media release
 Previous release Media release index Next release May 1, 2009, Halifax, NS The Co‑operative Housing Federation of Canada warmly welcomed today’s announcement of federal and provincial funds to build new affordable housing and renovate existing social housing. “Nova Scotia housing co‑ops are ready to make fast and effective use of these funds,” said CHF Canada President Ken Elliott. Housing co‑operatives hope to benefit from some of the $128 million available through an amendment to the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Program Agreement and an extension to the Canada-Nova Scotia Housing Renovation Program Agreement, with investments from both governments. “We are very happy to see the two levels of government working together on the housing components of Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said Nicholas Gazzard, Executive Director. “Our members have been working hard to ensure that Canada’s investment in affordable housing is preserved for future generations and this will make a real difference in that work.” CHF Canada has been working to protect and update existing housing co‑ops, many of which are starting to age. We have lobbied for renovation and energy retrofit money, and we were the first to ask for an investment in energy saving retrofits for social housing. The planned North End United Housing Co‑op hopes to benefit from the funds. The co‑op is in the middle of a planned merger of four existing co‑ops in Halifax’s North End community. The 131 units of affordable co‑op housing need extensive exterior and interior renovation. The announcement took place in the Seniors' Lounge at Bloomfield Centre, 2786 Agricola St., Halifax. Premier Rodney MacDonald, Community Services Minister Chris d'Entremont, and MP Greg Kerr, on behalf of Diane Finley Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing, made the announcement. 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. There are 80 housing co‑ops in Nova Scotia, providing 1,928 affordable homes. For more information: Karen Brodeur, Program Manager, Co‑operative Services, (902) 423-7119, ext. 1 kbrodeur@chfcanada.coop Christopher Wilson, Senior Advisor, (902) 482-9584, CWilson@chfcanada.coop 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 |
