AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CHILD CARE CENTRE OPENS IN PRINCE ALBERT

Released on January 24, 2005

Two renovated and rejuvenated apartment buildings, offering both affordable housing and child care services, were officially opened in Prince Albert today.

Funded by the governments of Canada, Saskatchewan and Prince Albert, the Cedar Brook Apartment complex is located on 1621 and 1631 15th Street West. It features 34 low-income apartments and a 16-space child care centre for residents and local neighbourhood families.

This project, conceived and managed by the River Bank Development Corporation (RBDC), received $1.43 million in federal-provincial-municipal funding under the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP). CAHP funding consists of $1,289,790 from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan, and $143,310 (10 percent) from the city of Prince Albert.

Children's Choice, who operates a 65-space child care centre, participated in this project and expanded its operations to open Children's Choice West, a 16-space licensed child care centre in the Cedar Brook Apartment complex. The child care centre features six infant, six toddler and four pre-school spaces. Six of the spaces have been designated as KidsFirst spaces – targeted for vulnerable or at risk children.

"Affordable housing and accessible child care are some of the building blocks for families and successful communities," noted Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and member of Parliament for Wascana, on behalf of Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. "The Government of Canada and our partners in Saskatchewan are working hard to ensure that the residents of Prince Albert have both."

"Today, thanks to the leadership and community spirit of the River Bank Development Corporation, we celebrate the opening of 34 renovated quality affordable homes, and 16 additional child care spaces for Prince Albert families," Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said. "This project clearly demonstrates how, together we can use programs such as HomeFirst, the provincial housing strategy; Child Care Saskatchewan and KidsFirst to establish a starting point to independence and lasting participation in the social and economic life of the province."

"The community demonstrated a clear desire for new affordable housing and the City has supported it," Prince Albert Mayor Jim Stiglitz said. "The rejuvenated apartment buildings are an important improvement to our city and the new child care spaces will help neighbourhood families."

The River Bank Development Corporation is a non-profit organization set up in 1998. It is also involved in other community-focused projects in Prince Albert including the Recycle Store, Creations Catering Co-op, Small Business Loan Association and Smart Families Food Co-Op.

CAHP is funded under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Agreement. It provides $33 million in federal funding for affordable housing, matched by Saskatchewan, municipalities and other parties. With these matching contributions, a total of $66 million over five years is available for affordable housing throughout Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

Herman Hulshof Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-0916	Jason Cobb CMHC Calgary Phone: (403) 515-2903
Jennifer Cardiff City of Prince Albert Prince Albert Phone: (306) 953-4370