Canadian Funding Corp Reviews CMHC Sustainability Reports

Canadian Funding Corp Reviews Sustainability, August, 2009 – The Government of Canada today marked the start of construction of the Green Dream Home demonstration project, an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home to be built in Kamloops.

The home will be constructed by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior (CHBA CI), in partnership with Thompson Rivers University (TRU), as part of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC’s) EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, which encourages builders and developers to build the next generation of sustainable housing in Canada.

Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for CMHC, was joined today by Darryl Caunt, President, CHBA CI, and Dr. Ulrich Scheck, Provost and Vice-President Academic, TRU, along with sponsors and supporters in the ground-breaking of the first demonstration home of its kind in British Columbia.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to work with the private sector to develop such innovative homes. We congratulate CHBA CI and TRU on their winning design/concept and commitment to environmental responsibility,” said MP McLeod. “The Kamloops Green Dream Home gives people in this region an opportunity to see first-hand how we can create beautiful, healthy homes, conserve energy and resources, and reduce pollutant emissions.”

The Kamloops Green Dream Home will integrate optimal solar orientation, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems into its design and construction, in addition to using natural materials with low levels of pollutants. To reduce water use, rainwater will be captured and drought-resistant native plants will be used on the site. The Green Dream Home will be built primarily by TRU students as part of their training program.   Once completed, the home will be open for public tours and then raffled off to raise funds for a local charity.

“We are proud that this project will showcase leading innovations in home energy efficiency and environmental responsibility for our local community, and serve as an example for similar projects across the country,” said Darryl Caunt.

“The Green Dream Home is an amazing opportunity for Thompson Rivers University students and faculty to be involved in a project that integrates all the elements that define TRU as the university of choice for environmental sustainability, career success and student engagement,” said Dr. Scheck. “The practical experience gained by participating in this initiative will enable our graduates to pursue careers as future leaders who will help Canadians develop and live in sustainable communities.”

The Green Dream Home is one of 15 projects that won CMHC’s national EQuilibrium™ sustainable housing competitions since the initiative was launched in 2006. All EQuilibrium™ projects will be open to both the general public and professional audiences for tours, and then monitored for performance by CMHC for one year, once occupied.

CMHC’s EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative provides a new approach to housing in Canada, representing a fundamental change in the way Canadians think about their homes. It strives to balance our housing needs with environmental concerns. It brings together — under one roof — the principles of occupant health and comfort, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, resource and water conservation, and reduced environmental impact.

NIPISSING, May 22, 2009 — Canadian Funding Corporation includes the following CMHC report that the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board today celebrated the start of construction for 67 new affordable rental units for low-income senior citizens in two projects in the District of Nipissing. The projects received $1.3 million in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

According to Canadian Funding Corporation, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; City of North Bay Councillor Dave Mendicino, Chair of Castle Arms Non Profit Apartment Corporation; and George Jupp, Chair of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board, made the announcement today.

“I’m pleased by the progress being made with our partners in North Bay and Mattawa,” said Minister Finley. “These new housing developments will provide more rental options for seniors in need of suitable, affordable housing, and are important to the economic and social well-being of the Nipissing community.”

“This investment will make a difference in the lives of senior citizens in North Bay and Mattawa, providing them with quality housing, and allowing them to continue to be an important part of our communities,” said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith.

The announcement today recognized two affordable housing projects for senior citizens, sponsored by Castle Arms Non-Profit Apartment Corporation:

* A 55-unit project to be constructed at 350 Olive Street in the City of North Bay received $1.1 million under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
* A 12-unit project to be constructed at 231 Tenth Street in the Town of Mattawa received $253,000 under the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

Castle Arms will receive an annual affordability payment of $40,000 totalling $1.2 million for these two projects provided entirely by the member municipalities represented on the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board. Funding for the projects is complemented by municipal development fee waivers.

“This is a great opportunity to make a serious contribution to the much needed seniors housing shortage in the district,” said Councillor Dave Mendicino. “We’re grateful to all three levels of government for their support in making this happen.”

“Approximately 40 per cent of the people on the social housing waiting list in Nipissing District are senior citizens,” said Mr. Jupp. “Since 1981, the population of our senior citizens has increased by approximately 78 per cent. The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is proud to be making a contribution to our seniors, and the communities that we serve.”

The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for 20,000 households in Ontario.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years to build new and existing social housing, and lending up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.