Newly created Housing Hub of New Brunswick will address housing needs to support economic growth

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

November 7, 2022 · Riverview, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Amid global economic uncertainty, the Government of Canada continues its sound stewardship of the economy and its commitment to moving forward on a comprehensive plan to make housing more affordable. Ensuring Atlantic Canadian businesses have the skilled workers they need to thrive, grow, and compete is more important than ever, and our communities need available housing to help companies attract and retain these workers.   

That is why that today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced a non-repayable investment of $800,000 to the Housing Hub of New Brunswick Inc.

The Honourable Jill Green, Minister of Service New Brunswick and Minister responsible for Housing, also announced a contribution of $800,000 towards the project through the Regional Development Corporation (RDC).

These investments will help overcome some of the obstacles to rural development through the creation of a new non-profit organization, the Housing Hub of New Brunswick Inc. which will focus on accelerating the availability of rural rental housing units in the province over the next decade. The organization will work in partnership with local communities, the non-profit sector, provincial and federal governments, and the private sector to develop rental housing availabilities.  Objectives include facilitating the process of moving housing projects through the development cycle, leveraging increased government funding for rural housing, tracking the location of housing starts and partnerships with employers.

Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to support key economic sectors in attracting and ensuring the retention of the skilled workers needed to grow our population and build stronger and more inclusive communities. 

Quotes

“Our government’s recent Fall Economic Statement is focused on building an inclusive economy while making life more affordable for all Canadians. In our rural regions, the lack of adequate housing is preventing companies from attracting the skilled workers they need to grow.  The Housing Hub of New Brunswick will increase the availability of affordable housing, helping to support population growth and making our communities better places to live, work and raise a family.”

-  Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Housing affordability is a challenge in every part of New Brunswick and creates unique challenges in rural communities. We are acting to address the rural housing crisis by supporting the creation of a new non-profit organization to focus on accelerating the development of rural rental housing units in the province over the next decade.”

-  Honourable Jill Green, Minister of Service New Brunswick and Minister responsible for Housing 

“The New Brunswick Business Council (NBBC) understands that an adequate supply of housing that is affordable is vital to the success of our communities and our provincial economy. Existing housing shortages, decreases in rural housing development, immigration and a retiring population are combining to create a heavier impact on rural communities, which account for approximately half of the population of New Brunswick. Recognizing the need to create housing equitably across the province, we have led the creation of the Housing Hub of New Brunswick Inc., (HHNB). This new organization brings together partners from all levels of government, the private sector, and the non-profit and co-operative housing sectors. The HHNB is an action-oriented service that works directly with non-profits and co-operative housing organizations to get new projects started today. This important work will contribute to continued and sustainable growth for New Brunswick.”

-  Alex LeBlanc, Interim President of Housing Hub of New Brunswick (HHNB), and President and CEO of the NB Business Council

Quick facts

  • This project will support costs associated with establishing the Housing Hub of New Brunswick Inc. (HHNB) including staffing four positions, and creating structures and processes necessary to accelerate the development of rural housing in New Brunswick.  

  • The organization’s mission is to work in partnership with non-profit, private and co-op sectors, municipal, regional, provincial, and federal governments to support the development of affordable rental housing to accommodate workforce attraction, immigration, and other  local needs.

  • In December 2021, the Atlantic Immigration Program was launched based on the successes of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot which brought and retained thousands of newcomers to the region. This new permanent program officially opened on January 1, 2022, to help the Atlantic provinces attract the skilled newcomers they need to address economic and demographic challenges, such as the labour shortage in the region.

  • The funding announced today is provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.

Associated links

Contacts

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Danielle Phillips
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Danielle.Phillips@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn
Director of Communications
Regional Development Corporation (RDC)
Mary-Anne.Hurley-Corbyn@gnb.ca

Alex LeBlanc
Interim President
Housing Hub of New Brunswick Inc.
Alex.leblanc@nbbc-cenb.ca

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