Released on March 18, 2015
Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable will benefit from continued investment in support programs for children, youth and their families. As well, the Ministry of Social Services’ 2015-16 Budget will address the needs of people with disabilities and those in need of housing.“I am proud of our government’s solid record of supporting Saskatchewan citizens who are most challenged,” Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. “With this budget, we’re continuing to keep Saskatchewan strong by investing in programs and services that benefit those most in need.”
The Saskatchewan Government is dedicating $7.7 million to help at-risk children, youth and families, including:
- $3.0 million for foster care and extended family care;
- $2.0 million for medically fragile children with complex needs;
- $1.3 million for Assisted Adoption;
- $1.0 million in preventative services to keep children from coming into the care of the ministry; and
- $400,000 for youth transitions from private treatment.
The province is increasing benefits to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program for the fourth consecutive year with an additional $5.7 million. In June 2015, those in residential care will receive an increase of $20 a month; individuals and couples will see increases of $50 and $55 respectively. Approximately 13,000 households will benefit.
The ministry’s budget also includes an increase of $6.1 million to enable community-based organizations to provide residential spaces and programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Two million dollars is available to support the completion of one “safety net” home in Moose Jaw to provide assessment, stabilization and crisis response services, and the development of a second home in southern Saskatchewan. This investment will support those currently living in the community as well as individuals moving from Valley View Centre.
The province is committed to developing a provincial Disability Strategy. The Citizen Consultation Team is completing their work on the strategy, to be released later this year.
Additional support of $2.3 million will be provided to help address recruitment and retention in community-based organizations that work with vulnerable children and adults.
Safe, quality and affordable housing is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan. The province continues to support the federal/provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement, which has been extended to 2019 to fund new affordable housing supply, home renovations, home adaptations and rent/housing supplements.
The Budget also includes $800,000 to support the province’s partnerships with municipalities and meet commitments to develop new rental supply using the Rental Construction Incentive (RCI) and to make home ownership more affordable under the Affordable Home Ownership Program. Both of these five-year programs have been very successful. For example, since 2010, rental unit construction has grown by 370 per cent over the previous 10 years combined. During that time, the RCI has helped to fund 48 per cent of the new rental units built in the province.
Since 2007, the province has invested more than $581 million to develop 8,821 units and repair 3,700 homes. The provincial vacancy rate has increased from 1.9 per cent in 2011 to 4.1 per cent in October 2014. Housing starts are well above the 10-year average; the past three years of rental starts have exceeded the previous 15 years combined.
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For more information, contact:
Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479