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 andaffordable and social housing for families and seniors.

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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 futurein 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 ServicesTina 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 constituencyoffice.

"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 theinvestments announced Friday won't beone size fits all solutions for P.E.I. residents, especially those living inCharlottetown, but acknowledges it'sa start in tackling affordable housing.

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