GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN PRINCE ALBERT

Released on August 23, 2011

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan - Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) today announced support for a local housing initiative for seniors.

Funding in the amount of $2.3 million has been made available for the initiative through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $132 million under the amended Canada - Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

"Our Government is committed to supporting Canadian seniors, who have spent their lives making cities like Prince Albert into what they are today," said MP Hoback. "Providing safe, affordable housing is an important part of that commitment. We're proud to have provided more than $1 million for this project through the stimulus phase of the Economic Action Plan."

"Housing matters to everyone and this project demonstrates our government's commitment to providing more housing choices for Saskatchewan seniors," MLA Wilson said. "We all know that good housing is at the heart of both individual and community well being, and helps create a strong economy and a better quality of life. As a result of the efforts of individuals, business and government working as a team, Prince Albert seniors will be able to live in a safe, quality place they can truly call home."

The project, which was undertaken by Prince Albert Community Housing Society Inc. (PACH), consists of the new construction of an 18-unit, single-level garden apartment comprised of 16 two-bedroom and two wheelchair accessible one-bedroom units. The total project cost is approximately $3.3 million.
Together, CMHC and SHC contributed approximately $2.3 million to the project. The remaining funding was provided by PACH. Since November 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has constructed 220 affordable housing units for seniors and is currently investing $24.3 million to develop 199 more units.

"There was and remains a great need for affordable housing units for the elder citizens of Prince Albert," P.A. Community Housing Society Inc. Manager Linda Boyer said. "Due to the rising cost of living in Saskatchewan, seniors are finding it very difficult to remain in their private homes or market rental units. P.A. Community Housing was delighted when the proposal for these units was approved with $2.3 million in funding provided by the federal and provincial governments. The balance of the project was funded by cash equity and a mortgage from the Diamond North Credit Union. It is now a beautiful home for seniors with extremely happy residents who have a place they can call home."

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

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 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.

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For more information, contact:
Ana Curic
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
Tel.: 819-994-2482
michelle.bakos@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

Megan Markin
Communications and Marketing CMHC
403-515-2962
mmarkin@cmhc.ca

Linda Saliken
Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services
Tel: 306-787-0246
linda.saliken@gov.sk.ca