NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT OPENS IN MOOSE JAW

Released on July 29, 2013

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, along with Blanchard Holdings Inc., celebrated the official opening of a new, affordable rental housing project for 28 moderate-income families in Moose Jaw.  

Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament  for Regina – Lumsden – Lake Centre Tom Lukiwski, on behalf of Minister of State (Social Development) Candice Bergen, along with Member of the Legislative Assembly for Moose Jaw Wakamow Greg Lawrence, on behalf of Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) June Draude, made the announcement today.

“Through investments in affordable housing, our government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Moose Jaw and in all corners of the country,” Lukiwski  said.  “We are committed to making communities stronger through projects like these.  We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security.”
 
“This project began about a year ago and today, we are celebrating the addition of 28 more homes to Moose Jaw’s landscape,” Lawrence said.  “Our goal is not only to improve access to quality homes for Saskatchewan residents, but also to foster partnerships and collaboration between the private sector and different levels of government to create those homes.  I am very pleased that so many people have come together to help make that a reality.”

"When this project began a little over a year ago, it was our goal to create a quality development and at the same time fill a community need within the city of Moose Jaw,” President of Blanchard Holdings Inc. Jon Blanchard said.  “As we are now nearing completion, it is with great pride that I can say we have not only met our goal but we have certainly exceeded it.  These 28 homes have not only been built to the highest building standards, they have also been constructed with many of today's energy efficiencies.  With the help from both levels of government, we have been able to create beautiful homes that are affordable to rent as well as affordable for the tenants to maintain.  On behalf of myself as well as the 28 families who will now call these places homes, I want to thank the Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada for providing us the opportunity to create such a needed development."

The total cost of the development is approximately $3.9 million.  The Government of Canada, through CMHC, and the Province of Saskatchewan, through SHC, contributed a combined total of $2.6 million to the project. The funding balance, approximately $1.2 million, is being provided by Blanchard Holdings Inc.

Located at 52 Maple Street East, the project is comprised of a total of 28 rental row house units, which include 14 two-bedroom units in raised basements and 14 three-bedroom units on the main and second floors. 

This funding comes as a result of the $55 million Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2011-2014 Agreement.  Under the agreement, the province of Saskatchewan will use the funds to create new and renovate existing affordable housing for households in need.

This commitment continues with Economic Action Plan 2013, which provides more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the IAH to 2019.  Funds provided to provinces and territories through IAH agreements will support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour.  More than 136,000 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing.  Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing.  In Saskatchewan, this represents an estimated 28,000 households.  The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the IAH.  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.

Last October, the Government of Saskatchewan released the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: Vision 2020 and Beyond, which sets out the government’s vision for a province of 1.2 million people by 2020.  The Plan identifies principles, goals and actions to ensure Saskatchewan is capturing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of a growing province. Under the Plan, the province has invested $344 million to help create 12,600 new housing units and repair or upgrade approximately 24,000 more housing units around the province.

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

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For more information, contact:

Young Ong
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-2962 

Linda Saliken
Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246