Released on October 29, 2010
The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan today officially opened 26 new units of affordable rental housing for families in Prince Albert.
The announcement was made today by Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, representing Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
and Municipal Affairs Minister Darryl Hickie on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) June Draude.
"We are proud to have played a part in bringing these 26 new units to Prince Albert families," said Hoback. "In these tough economic times, making more safe and affordable housing available to those in need is a priority for our government. These new units, close to schools and services, will give families a stable home in a vibrant and growing community."
"Our government is committed to improving housing availability and affordability for Saskatchewan people in need," Hickie said. "Like many other Saskatchewan communities, Prince Albert is growing, so the addition of these 26 units will help meet a real need for affordable rental housing in this community. Most importantly, more families will be able to have a safe place to call home, and remain optimistic about their future."
"Prince Albert Community Housing is very proud of this family project," Prince Albert Community Housing Society Inc. Manager Linda Boyer said. "We now have 26 attractive suites which are affordable for young Métis families, and a place they can call home and be proud of. The Board and staff are committed to increasing affordable housing stock in Prince Albert by working together with all three levels of government."
The project, which was undertaken by Prince Albert Community Housing Society Inc. (PACH), consists of the new construction of 18 townhouse units (two and three-bedrooms) on one parcel of land and two four-plexes (two and three-bedrooms) on another parcel close by. The total project cost is approximately $4 million. Together, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation contributed approximately $2.8 million to the project. The remaining funding was provided by the project sponsor through mortgage financing and sponsor contributions.
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.
The amendment to the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which included funding under Canada's Economic Action Plan, signed in May 2009, brought federal housing support of $74 million to the province. The Government of Saskatchewan will match that commitment for a total of $148 million to assist those in housing need and, in collaboration with other levels of government and community partners, to make various types of affordable housing programs possible. In Saskatchewan, federal-provincial housing programs are delivered through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
More information on this and other measures found in 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. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca
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For more information, contact:
Michelle Bakos
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482
Kimberlee Jones
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-3048
Linda Saliken
Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246