The governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners, gathered August 31 to celebrate the official opening of Baker Gardens, a new 36-unit modular housing development for seniors and persons with disabilities in Cranbrook. It is the largest modular housing development built under the Seniors Rental Housing Initiative in B.C.

On hand to help open the complex were the area’s two senior government elected officials.

“Our government is investing in affordable housing here in Cranbrook, to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most, said David Wilks, Kootenay-Columbia MP, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“These initiatives will help seniors living on low-income and persons with disabilities in our community access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs,” he said.

“Baker Gardens is the largest modular seniors’ rental housing development to open in British Columbia,” said Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East. “The province is committed to supporting new and innovative housing solutions to ensure that seniors throughout the province have greater access to affordable housing in their community.”

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal government contributed approximately $2.67 million to support the construction of Bakers Gardens. The Province of British Columbia provided approximately $2.2 million to this project through the Seniors Rental Housing Initiative (SRH). The City of Cranbrook provided the land and waived development cost charges for this project.  Columbia Basin Trust also contributed to the overall capital costs of this site.

“Addressing the need for more affordable housing for seniors in Cranbrook is a key priority for our city and council,” said City of Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak. “That is why we are proud to contribute and partner with all involved in this project, making the opening of Baker Gardens a reality, benefitting our community as a whole.”

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) has committed $425,000 to the overall capital cost of seven sites in the Columbia Basin region for a total of 114 units under the SRH initiative, including Baker Gardens. Other SRH projects in development with Columbia Basin Trust’s commitment include Baynes Lake, Creston, Golden, Kimberley, two sites in Revelstoke and Valemount.

“Columbia Basin Trust is committed to supporting initiatives that result in increasing affordable housing options for Basin residents,” said Garry Merkel, CBT board chair. “We are pleased to be involved in this partnership, with all levels of government and various community partners, to increase the number of seniors’ housing units both here in Cranbrook and in six other communities across the Basin.”

The Canadian Mental Health Association – Kootenays (CMHA) will manage and operate Baker Gardens. CMHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting mental health through the provision of services, programming advocacy and public education.

“We believe that safe, affordable housing is one of the key components to maintaining good mental health,” said Janice Ivan, executive director Canadian Mental Health Association – Kootenays. “With the opening of Baker Gardens, our resident seniors now have access to more housing options in the community they know and love, so that they can continue with their independence and maintain an active healthy lifestyle.”

The SRH initiative is 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 initiative, first announced by the two levels of government on April 8, 2009, provides $123.5 million, including $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop approximately 1,300 new affordable rental housing units, which will help to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments are providing matching contributions of $61.79 million.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan built on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. It provides $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan included $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

A new agreement signed in July by both orders of government provides 90 million in federal funding for the remaining three years for British Columbia residents in housing need.

According to a press release, B.C.’s $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, building vital public infrastructure and stimulating local economies across the province.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

For more information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

e-KNOW

Article Share