GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AND RENEWED SENIORS HOUSING IN SWIFT CURRENT

Released on September 7, 2012

David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress-Hills-Grasslands and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food for the Canadian Wheat Board, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude, today celebrated the official opening of a local housing initiative for seniors in Swift Current.

Funding in the amount of close to $2.4 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.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is taking concrete action to help ensure economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth," said Anderson. "Funding projects like Prairie Pioneers will not only improve the overall housing conditions for seniors in Swift Current, but also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

"Our government is committed to finding housing solutions for the most vulnerable citizens of our province, including our seniors," Draude said. "This project is an important part of that process, and we're proud to celebrate its successful completion with our partners. Our government alone cannot address all the housing challenges in Saskatchewan. We're grateful for the support of the federal government, and our partners in the for profit and not-for-profit housing industries."

"We're grateful for the support of these projects from the federal, provincial and municipal governments," Prairie Pioneers Board Member Dan Martens said. "These new and renovated accommodations will make a real difference in the lives of seniors in our community."

This project consists of six single-storey, one bedroom, four-plex units located adjacent to the existing Prairie Pioneers seniors housing project in Swift Current.

In addition to the grand opening of the Gladstone Street West project, Prairie Pioneers Independent Housing is receiving more than $1.6 million to renovate 70 one-bedroom units in 35 semi-detached buildings located at 300 Central Avenue. The funding comes from the Saskatchewan Home Repair Program-Rental Repair, as a result of the Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement between the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan.

The Rental Repair program provides financial assistance to landlords to repair plumbing, heating, electrical, structural and health and safety items.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Saskatchewan, this represents some 29,900 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

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-schl.gc.ca.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 787-0246
Email: linda.saliken@gov.sk.ca

Young Ong
CMHC
Phone: 403-515-2962
Email: yong@cmhc.ca

Marian Ngo
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482