AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS ANNOUNCED IN CREIGHTON

Released on November 3, 2006

The grand opening of Bedrock Manor, an affordable housing project in Creighton, is providing low- to moderate-income seniors with the opportunity to remain close to home and family.

"Canada's new government is committed to investing in our communities," said Brian Fitzpatrick, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. "We are proud to have been involved in the construction of Bedrock Manor, because it will meet the needs of seniors in Creighton and allow them to remain close to family and friends."

"We are proud that this project was made possible through HomeFirst, our provincial housing strategy," Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger said. "Projects like this one deliver to our seniors the independence to live in safe, affordable housing and address the unique housing needs in Saskatchewan communities. This fits in perfectly with our government's long-term vision of making life better for today's families, and building a future here for our youth."

"Our government is committed to helping build stronger communities by working in partnership with local people and local groups to make sure low- to moderate-income seniors get the quality, affordable housing they need," Northern Affairs Minister Joan Beatty said.

Bedrock Manor consists of 12 single storey garden apartments (eleven 2-bedroom units and one 1-bedroom unit) which were constructed through a partnership with Bedrock Property Group, the Town of Creighton, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC). A forgivable loan of $531,000 was committed through the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP). CAHP is a cost-shared program with the federal government providing 50 per cent and the province and municipalities providing the matching 50 per cent. The Town of Creighton also donated land valued at $62,000, with the project sponsors contributing $55,000 in equity. The remainder of the funding is from mortgage financing.

In addition, Bedrock Property Group received conditional approval from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation for a forgivable loan of $535,000 under CAHP. Another 12-unit apartment complex for low- to moderate-income seniors will be constructed to meet community demand. Under CAP CMHC is contributing $267,500; the provincial government will contribute $267,500 and the Town of Creighton contributing $54,000 in land and other services. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $916,000. The new project will be completed in 2007.

"Bedrock Manor is a very valuable and much needed housing project for the Town of Creighton," Creighton Mayor Bruce Fidler said. "For this, I would like to thank Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Bedrock Property Group. On behalf of the residents of the Town of Creighton, I welcome this development and we are more than willing to work with or assist, as we can, in bringing further services such as this to our community."

CAHP is funded under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Agreement. It provides approximately $33 million in federal funding for affordable housing, matched by Saskatchewan, municipalities and other partners. With these matching contributions, a total of over $66 million will be allocated by 2007-08 for affordable housing.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kimberlee Jones Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Calgary Phone: 403-515-3048	Linda Saliken Community Resources Regina Phone: 306-787-0246
Mayor Bruce Fidler Town of Creighton Creighton Phone: 306-688-8253