Government of Yukon
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FOR RELEASE #05-289
November 4, 2005
Investments In Affordable Housing Have Multiple Community Benefits
WHITEHORSE, November 4, 2005 - The Government of Canada and the Yukon government announced today that they will provide $3.5 million under the Canada/Yukon Affordable Housing Agreement towards the construction of 48 new units of affordable housing in Whitehorse.
When completed, the Athletes Village residences will consist of two three-storey buildings that will temporarily lodge athletes and coaches during the 2007 Canada Winter Games. The Yukon Housing Corporation (YHC) facility will then become an affordable housing apartment complex. The second building will be a Yukon College student family residence, and is not funded under the Affordable Housing Agreement.
"This affordable housing project is a progressive solution which meets the variety of housing needs of Yukoners," said the Honourable Larry Bagnell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and MP for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. "With some creativity and planning, Whitehorse will have comfortable new accommodations for the Winter Games athletes, as well as new long-term affordable housing options to serve the community following the Games."
"This is a good example of team work and achieving common goals," said Jim Kenyon, Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corp. "Three levels of government and the Games Host Society worked together and found a solution that meets the needs of the Games and benefits Yukon's housing needs into the future – everybody wins."
The Yukon government will contribute $25.2 million toward the Athletes Village residences, in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the City of Whitehorse last February. The 2007 Games Host Society will contribute $2.7 million to the project.
"Yukon Housing Corporation is very pleased that the Yukon government has opted to develop affordable housing as one of the legacy components of the Canada Winter Games," said Rudy Couture, Chair of the YHC Board of Directors.
"This contribution demonstrates how the key partnerships have evolved in order to ensure the success of our Games", adds Piers McDonald, President of the Host Society. "This housing project will leave a tangible legacy in Yukon for many years to come."
The Athletes Village residences will be located near the Yukon College site in Whitehorse. The Yukon Housing Corporation building will feature one and two bedroom units with barrier-free access design standards to accommodate mobility impaired residents. It will exceed Yukon Housing Corporation’s Green Home Standards for energy efficiency.
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Attachment: Facility diagrams
For more information, please contact:
Nathalie Harwood, Communications & Policy Analyst
Yukon Housing Corp., Yukon government
(867) 667-5075
nathalie.harwood@gov.yk.ca
Sophie Dupuis
Senior Consultant, Communications and Marketing
CMHC
(403) 515-2986
FACILITY DIAGRAMS
