New Housing for Seniors in Summerside

The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are partnering to give Island seniors with modest incomes more suitable and affordable places to call home in Summerside

Today, Robert Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, alongside PEI’s Minister of Family and Human Services Tina Mundy announced that the provincial and federal governments are jointly making a multi-million dollar investment to construct a new social housing complex in Summerside.     

Expected to open in 2020, the province recently tendered the construction of a 32 unit complex on Frank Mellish Street that will strengthen the provincial social housing inventory while responding to a growing need for affordable housing across the province. Each new living unit will support a senior citizen on the Island age independently in their community, while paying an affordable rent.   

Quotes:

“Every Canadian should be able to retire in dignity. This is why we are taking action to support seniors by restoring the age of eligibility for OAS and GIS to 65 from 67, and increasing GIS for single seniors. Our Government is dedicated to helping those in need and serving our aging citizens. This is why we have invested in this 32 unit complex on Frank Mellish Street in Summerside. These new units respond to the growing need to find seniors appropriate and affordable places to live on PEI, while continuing to be an integral part of our community.” – Robert Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont 

“We are creating more affordable homes for seniors in Summerside and all across the province where housing pressures are felt most by Islanders with modest incomes. These 32 new social housing units will offer safe and affordable homes and make a positive difference in Island lives.  We will continue to make affordable housing investments across the province to encourage communities where all Islanders can thrive together.” – Family and Human Services Minister Tina Mundy.  

Quick facts:

• Occupancy of this new building is expected in 2020 with 5 of the 32 units being accessible.  The construction tender will close on February 28, 2019.
• 1,200 new affordable units are being created across PEI over the next 2 years and will expand the existing inventory of 1,600 provincial government-owned affordable units to meet a growing demand for affordable housing for both Island seniors and families.  This is in addition to the over 650 rent supplement arrangements the province has with private landlords across the province.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
• The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.

Associated Links:
As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry.  For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more, visit the National Housing Strategy.

The Province of Prince Edward Island is laying the foundation for housing security through its five-year Housing Action Plan and collaborating with various levels of government and the community to create appropriate and affordable housing solutions.  For more information, please visit: Housing Action Plan.

Media contacts:
Alexandre Tremblay
CMHC
Alexandre.Tremblay@cmhc.ca 
613-748-2559

Bobbi Jo Walker
Province of Prince Edward Island
bjwalker@gov.pe.ca
902-213-4507