Released on November 13, 2014
The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with Oxford House Society Inc., today celebrated the opening of a fourth Oxford House in Regina. The five-bedroom house will provide supportive, transitional housing for individuals who have completed addiction treatment.Tom Lukiwski, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre, on behalf of Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with Member of the Legislative Assembly for Regina Dewdney Gene Makowsky on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer made the announcement.
“We recognize how important it is for individuals with challenges to be able to live independently, close to their families and friends,” said Lukiwsk. “Oxford House will provide safe housing and the support they need to help them start a new page in their lives. Our government is very proud to support this project.”
“Improving the quality of life for Saskatchewan people is a goal that we all share,” Makowsky said. “Together with our partners, our government is proud to help those in addiction recovery to access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs. Oxford House is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when we work together to keep Saskatchewan strong.”
“Oxford House Regina is pleased to work in co-operation with the Province of Saskatchewan, the Government of Canada and our other partners to provide safe, third stage transitional housing to individuals who want to get their lives back on track,” Oxford House Society Inc. Executive Director Blair Pope said. “On behalf of our Board, staff and house members, we thank everyone responsible for demonstrating confidence in our organization. The house being opened today is the fourth that Oxford House Regina has opened in the past four years.”
Each bedroom in an Oxford House is provided to a recovering addict or alcoholic, who signs an agreement and works toward becoming independent. Each house member works or attends school, contributes their share of the house costs, maintains the home, and stays clean and sober. The residents are also encouraged to become involved in their community and with their families.
Oxford House Society is a self-run, self-supported recovery house concept and system of operation for individuals recovering from alcoholism and drug addictions. As well as providing a sober living environment, Oxford House Regina has proven to be an effective, low-cost alternative to support those individuals in recovery.
The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Province of Saskatchewan, through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation’s Rental Development Program, contributed a combined total of more than $260,000 through the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
Annually, the Government of Canada through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continues this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour.
In October 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan released the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: Vision 2020 and Beyond, which sets out the government’s vision for a province of 1.2 million people by 2020. The plan identifies principles, goals and actions to ensure Saskatchewan is capturing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of a growing province. Since 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested over $520 million to develop and repair more than 11,600 homes around the province.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Young Ong
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-2962
Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246