SENIORS HOUSING PROJECT OPENS IN REGINA

Released on December 8, 2006

There is more affordable housing for seniors in Regina, thanks to a federal, provincial and municipal funding partnership. Highland Manor, a 50-unit facility for low- to moderate-income seniors, was officially opened today.

"Seniors in Regina now have more access to quality, affordable housing that will allow them to continue to live in their communities with dignity and independence," said Andrew Scheer, Member of Parliament for Regina-Qu'Appelle, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. "Canada's new government is proud to support projects like these. We are also helping seniors and pensioners through a proposed Tax Fairness Plan that will allow income splitting and deliver more than a billion dollars in tax relief annually. Our government is a government that is demonstrating its commitment to seniors."

"This project is part of our plan to make life better for today's families," Regina Coronation Park MLA Kim Trew said on behalf of Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger. "Initiatives such as Highland Manor contribute to healthy communities and healthy neighbourhoods, and help us meet our goal to serve the housing needs of Saskatchewan citizens, including seniors."

"As Canada's population ages, there is a growing need for housing to meet the special needs of retired and senior Canadians," Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said. "I welcome facilities of this kind to our community - Highland Manor fits perfectly with City Council's long range vision for Regina as an attractive, generous, affordable, accessible, compact and competitive city."

Located at 2221 5th Avenue North, Highland Manor is a three storey apartment building containing nine one-bedroom suites and 41 two-bedroom suites. Meals, housekeeping, laundry, personal security systems and recreational services may be provided on a fee-for-service basis. The building also has elevators and common recreation and kitchen facilities.

The construction of Highland Manor was funded by the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP) – Life Lease Option. The total cost of the project is approximately $5.1 million. CAHP provided $2 million in government funding for the project, including $1 million from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, $800,000 from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and $200,000 from the City of Regina. A portion of the land was donated by the Highland Park Housing Association. Highland Manor residents have provided the remaining funding in the form of life-lease deposits.

The project was initiated by the Affordable Seniors Housing Committee, who partnered with the Highland Park Housing Association to bring the concept together. Saskatchewan Housing Corporation owns the project and the Regina Housing Authority manages the units.

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