Released on August 7, 2014
Three families in Saskatoon now have a place of their own to call home, thanks to a partnership between the Government of Saskatchewan and Habitat for Humanity. The province, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, provided $150,000 to help construct the homes. Additional funding and support is provided by Conexus Credit Union, Mosaic Potash Corporation and the City of Saskatoon.Central Services Minister Jennifer Campeau attended a key presentation today on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer. Each of the three homes, located at the 602 Avenue G South tri-plex, are approximately 800 square feet or 74 square meters with developed basements.
“Our Government is committed to safe, quality and affordable housing for families as part of the Saskatchewan Growth Plan,” Campeau said. “Habitat for Humanity and its partners deserve recognition for coming together to build stronger neighbourhoods and, most importantly, help families own a home they would not otherwise be able to. We are pleased that three more families will be able to begin a promising future.”
“Our purpose at Habitat for Humanity is to strengthen communities by providing homes for low-income, working families,” Habitat Saskatoon CEO Barb Cox-Lloyd said. “We are thrilled to dedicate these homes today. The Government of Saskatchewan, Conexus Credit Union, Mosaic and our multitude of volunteers have made it possible for us to provide three families with an opportunity for home ownership. We believe that involving volunteers in building homes for low-income working families provides them with an opportunity to build a stronger community.”
“Conexus supports organizations and initiatives that provide people with the ability to be self-reliant and that help to revitalize the community,” Conexus Credit Union Vice president of Retail, North Region Dan Kirby said. “We recognize the role that Habitat for Humanity plays in providing hard working, low-income families with safe, decent and affordable housing in Saskatoon; and it is initiatives such as Conexus House that allow us to help build communities and members’ dreams.”
In the 2014-15 Budget, the province committed an additional $750,000 through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation to help build an additional 12 new Habitat for Humanity homes throughout Saskatchewan. This brings the government’s commitment to Habitat for Humanity to a total of $7.85 million since March 2009. This total includes $600,000 from the province’s Summit Action Fund.
This funding supports builds in 12 communities across the province including Duck Lake, Fort Qu’Appelle, Humboldt, Lloydminster, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Weyburn and Yorkton.
Saskatchewan Housing Corporation now provides $65,000 per home in funding. This is up from the $50,000 per home which was provided up to March 2014.
Each selected Habitat partner family contributes 500 partnering hours to build their home and other Habitat for Humanity homes. This assists in the development of the Habitat for Humanity community and their neighbourhood. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity and their work across Saskatchewan, visit www.habitat.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Tara Gereaux
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: tara.gereaux@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-519-7835