NORTHERN HOUSING AUTHORITIES EXPAND ROLE

Released on November 13, 2006

Since November 1, 2006, the housing authority offices located in Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, Creighton, Cumberland House, Ile à la Crosse, La Loche and La Ronge have been participating in the delivery of the HomeFirst family of repair and energy improvement programs to off-reserve homeowners in northern Saskatchewan. Programs include the familiar Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs (RRAP), and the more recent Saskatchewan Home Energy Improvement Programs (SHEIP).

"The province's HomeFirst housing program is part of our focus on making life better for today's families and building an even better future here for young people," Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger said. "By strengthening the capacity of our northern housing authorities to deliver housing programs such as RRAP and SHEIP, the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is providing more services to northerners to assist them with their housing needs. At the same time, we are helping to maintain and sustain the stock of northern housing for as long as possible."

Belanger also indicated that expansion of the housing authority network to the Athabasca region, with an office in Stony Rapids, is planned for the near future.

As the primary contact for clients, northern housing authorities are ready to accept applications, assist in determining the eligibility of homeowners for program funding, assist approved clients to locate contractors to do the work and undertake joint-inspections of the work.

Local housing authority involvement in home renovation programs will provide northerners with greater access to affordable housing options. RRAP assists low-income homeowners to bring their homes up to health and safety standards. SHEIP helps low- to moderate-income homeowners undertake energy efficiency retrofits and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, low-income households will benefit from cost saving retrofits such as furnace replacements (including combination fuel source), insulation and weather proofing.

"Saskatchewan supports and recognizes the urgent need to develop more flexible housing options resulting in better housing outcomes in the North," Belanger said. "This approach will enable local housing authorities to provide more direct community support to clients wanting to access these programs."

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Linda Saliken Community Resources Regina Phone: 306-787-0246 Email: lsaliken@cr.gov.sk.ca