SENIORS HOUSING PROJECT OPENS IN SASKATOON

Released on October 30, 2009

There is more affordable housing for seniors in Saskatoon, thanks to a $2.8 million federal, provincial and municipal funding partnership. Bethany Manor, a 56-unit affordable rental housing complex for low- to moderate-income seniors, was officially opened today.

"The Government of Canada is helping make affordable housing available in Saskatchewan and across Canada for those who need it most," said Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "Through this investment we are stimulating the local economy and creating jobs. We are also making an important difference in the lives of individuals and families in Saskatoon who are working toward building a stronger and better future for themselves."

"As our population ages, there is a growing need for quality, affordable housing that will allow seniors to continue to live in their communities with dignity and independence," Saskatoon-Sutherland MLA Joceline Schriemer said on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer. "Projects such as Bethany Manor help meet that need, as well as contribute to healthy communities and healthy neighbourhoods."

"Bethany Manor means so much to the seniors in Saskatoon," Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison said. "It provides affordable housing to a very important target population as identified in the Saskatoon Community Plan on Homelessness and Housing. We are all partners in keeping our seniors safe, secure and active in our community."

Located at 210 Pinehouse Drive in the Lawson Heights area of Saskatoon, Bethany Manor consists of 56 one- and two-bedroom life-lease and affordable rental housing units for low- and moderate-income seniors in a supportive setting. The project was undertaken by Saskatoon Mennonite Care Services Inc., a community-based non-profit corporation established in Saskatoon in 1981.

The building's innovative geothermal heating and cooling system, worth approximately $1.1 million is expected to save approximately $100,000 a year in utility and operational costs. The environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas will mean a reduction of almost 3 million kilograms of carbon dioxide annually.

The total cost of the project is approximately $7.7 million. Of that amount, $2.8 million in funding was provided to assist in the construction by the federal, provincial and municipal governments: $1.4 million from CMHC; $1.1 million from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and $280,000 from the City of Saskatoon. The funding balance consists of land, equity, in-kind contributions, equity from occupants and mortgage financing.

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession can be found at www.actionplan.gc.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

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For more information, contact:

Michelle Bakos
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482

Kimberlee Jones
CMHC
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-3048

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246

Alan Wallace
City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-2650