MINISTER BERNIER JOINS MINISTER DRAUDE AND MAYOR FOUGERE TO MARK THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO ASSIST YOUTH IN REGINA

Released on May 13, 2013

CMHC, and the Province of Saskatchewan, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, are contributing a combined total of $768,000.  The City of Regina is contributing $80,000 through a municipal grant, with Ranch Ehrlo Society providing the funding balance of approximately $85,000 through cash and land equity.

The project will be called CHAZ Court in honour of Dale Chastkiewicz, former chair of Ehrlo Community Services who dedicated seven years in support of Ranch Ehrlo and continues to help the community.
 
“CHAZ Court is designed to assist young singles transition from care, whether it be foster, group or an institutional program to independent living,” Ranch Ehrlo Vice-President of Residential Services Malcolm Neill said.  “Ranch Ehrlo Society sees the need for this style of housing for our youth leaving treatment and for young people in the community who have just entered the work force, left home, or started school.  These roughly 200-square feet, single occupancy apartments will provide affordable housing and allow people a greater amount of independence.”

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.

Economic Action Plan 2013 continues this commitment with a proposed federal investment of 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-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.

Since March 2011, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed $344 million to housing initiatives.  It is expected that these investments will result in more than 12,600 new and rejuvenated units throughout 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 and follow us on Twitter.

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For more information, contact:

Young Ong
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-2962
Email: yong@cmhc-schl.gc.ca 

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246
Email: linda.saliken@gov.sk.ca

Jan O'Driscoll
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482 

Herman Hulshof
Office of the Mayor
Regina
Phone: 306-777-7309
Email: hhulshof@regina.ca