NORTHERN RESIDENTS TRAINED IN SOCIAL HOUSING MANAGEMENT

Released on June 23, 2005

Three northern housing authorities will benefit as a result of the graduation today of five residents of northern Saskatchewan from the Social Housing Management Training Program. Robert Desjarlais of Ile a la Crosse, Judy Robertson and Grace Janvier of La Loche, Jenny Laliberte of Beauval and Richard Thommes of Cumberland House will receive their certificates of completion from the program.

"Training northern people as property managers means their knowledge and expertise can be used to help northern housing agencies successfully meet the housing needs of local people," Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said. "Meeting our goals of economic independence and self-reliance begins with a foundation of solid job skills."

As current employees of the Cumberland House Housing Authority, Ile a la Crosse Housing Authority, Beaver River Housing Authority and La Loche Non-Profit Housing Corporation, the graduates are already working with their respective organizations. The housing authorities are agencies of Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. Successful completion of this program will qualify the graduates move into other positions within Saskatchewan Housing Corporation or its agencies.

Graduates receive an Applied Certificate in Social Housing Management from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, a Certificate in Applied Social Housing from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and a Certificate in Successful Site Management from the Real Estate Institute of Canada. The program of classroom and applied study is an initiative of Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. Eighteen northern residents have now graduated from the program.

The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, an agency of the Department of Community Resources and Employment, helps to build and maintain independence and promote self-sufficiency through the provision of housing and housing services for families, seniors and others who could not otherwise afford safe, adequate shelter. Housing authorities and other housing partners provide a network responsible for the day-to-day management of housing units and the co-ordination of services to tenants.

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For More Information, Contact:

Greg Urbanoski Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-4011 Cell: (306) 537-2879