Beginning May 11, this mortgage insurance option will be available for first time and previous purchasers, who can manage the costs of home ownership and have a minimum downpayment
of five per cent of the purchase price.

"Of the more than 610,000 Canadians who purchased their first homes over the past six years, 70 per cent of these purchasers indicated they could not have purchased without the five per cent down option," said Mr. Rochon. "This program is extremely popular and important to home buyers as well as the housing industry."

"In making this program permanent, CMHC is ensuring that more people can benefit from the current stable, predictable housing market well into the next millennium. CMHC will continue consulting its customers and stakeholders and review the program and price ceilings to ensure
they meet the needs of Canadians."

To ensure consumers understand the costs and responsibilities involved with home ownership,
Mr. Rochon said that CMHC will enhance its information initiatives for home buyers.

"CMHC will expand its participation in home buyers seminars and the distribution of related publications and software to increase the knowledge of prospective homeowners. Informed consumers are the best consumers," added President Rochon.

Mortgage insurance premiums will be 3.75 per cent for buyers who are making a down payment of as little as five per cent of a property's value. This is the percentage of the mortgage loan a buyer is required to pay as insurance in case of default on payment. Purchasers have the option of adding the premium to the mortgage and paying it on a monthly basis.

This new program replaces the First Home Loan Insurance (FHLI) product, which was scheduled to end in February 1999.

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