HOUSING FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

Released on May 7, 2002

Twelve single mothers in Regina and their pre-school children will be able

to live in an affordable, supportive environment, thanks to a $600,000

capital grant from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation to Ehrlo Community

Services Inc.



Ehrlo will use the funding to purchase and convert a 12-unit apartment

building in Regina into a home for single mothers. The City of Regina is

contributing an additional $30,000 to the project.



"The province is committed to helping vulnerable families and individuals

build independence and improve their quality of life," Social Services

Minister Glenn Hagel said. "This important initiative will help address

the need for more affordable housing and support services for at-risk women

and youth in Regina."



"The City of Regina and the Province of Saskatchewan have been working

closely together to support social and affordable housing," Mayor Pat

Fiacco said. "According to the Regina Community Plan on Homelessness,

women are the fastest growing sub-group of homeless people, particularly

younger women. By providing appropriate, safe shelter, we are helping to

support the lives of these young women and children who are at risk in our

community. I'm pleased to see this new housing project. It will

contribute to a brighter future for all concerned."



Located in the inner city, the apartment building includes a main-floor

commercial area that will be converted into an administration office area

to support program delivery.



The project will be owned and operated by Ehrlo Community Services, a non-

profit organization with a mandate to provide community-based prevention

and intervention services to the people of Saskatchewan.



"We're delighted with the support provided to this project by the province

and the city," Ehrlo's Assistant Director of Community Programs Helen

Finucane said. "They recognize the importance of providing affordable,

quality housing to young parents and their families."



A working committee with representatives from Ehrlo, Social Services, and

other service agencies will identify and prioritize eligible mothers who

would benefit most by access to affordable housing in a supportive

environment.



The first tenants will be moving into the project in early June 2002.

Ehrlo hopes to have the new project fully occupied by July 2002.



- 30 -



For more information, contact:



Brian Miller Helen Finucane Bob Bjerke

Social Services Ehrlo Community Inc. Urban Planning Div.

Regina Regina City of Regina

Phone: (306) 787-0531 Phone: (306) 584-3313 Phone: (306) 777-7533