P.E.I. to receive $7.2 million for affordable housing investments
The federal and provincial governments have announced a total of $7.2 million dollars towards transitional housing for victims of family violence and affordable and social housing for families and seniors.
The money will be divided into several projects, including renovations to existing family and seniors housing.
There will also be money for housing for victims of family violence, and children who are getting too old for child protection services.
Friday's announcement put the greatest emphasis on the Island's aging population.
Focus on housing for seniors
"It's well known there's a demand for seniors housing and it's expected to grow as baby boomers become seniors and we experience changing housing needs," said Premier Wade MacLauchlan.
"Our province has a bigger population of seniors relative to other jurisdictions, and has higher rates of chronic illness and unique needs to be addressed through housing solutions," he said.
Part of the investment will be 50 new seniors housing units that will be built across the Island in the near future in response to extensive waiting lists that many Island seniors have been placed on to find affordable housing.
"We have an extensive wait list," said Minister of Family and Human Services Tina Mundy. "Housing is one of the most important social infrastructures on Prince Edward Island. If people have access to affordable housing, it makes a huge difference in their daily lives."
'The lack of affordable housing is disturbing'
As for the rest of Islanders, MP for Charlottetown Sean Casey said getting bumped up on the senior's housing list is one of the top requests in his constituency office.
"The number of people that come in, having to choose between groceries, or prescriptions or rent because of the lack of affordable housing is disturbing," said Casey. "Those … things I see every single day."
Casey said the investments announced Friday won't be one size fits all solutions for P.E.I. residents, especially those living in Charlottetown, but acknowledges it's a start in tackling affordable housing.
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