Released on August 18, 2017
The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with the City of Regina and Gabriel Housing Corporation (Gabriel), officially broke ground for a new 12-unit rental housing project for single parents who require supports in order to secure and maintain housing.Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Regina Pasqua MLA Muhammad Fiaz on behalf of Acting Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Donna Harpauer, City of Regina Mayor Michael Fougere and Gabriel Housing Corporation Chief Executive Officer Doug Moran, made the announcement today.
“Our government is working hard to provide Canadians with safe and affordable housing, which is the foundation of strong, productive communities,” said Goodale. “We are proud to support the creation of these new affordable rental housing units which will help improve the well-being of single parent families here in Regina.”
“These homes will enable single parent tenants and their children to live in a safe and stable environment,” Fiaz said. “Our government is pleased to have a role in making this project a reality, and to work with our partners to help Saskatchewan people in greatest housing need. This initiative, and others throughout the province, furthers our plan to keep Saskatchewan strong.”
“The City of Regina is proud to be able to assist in the construction of this project ,” Fougere said. “City Council has housing incentives that help provide housing for those most in need, and Gabriel Housing has an incredible history in these partnerships. These supportive housing units are absolutely crucial in ensuring all our citizens can stay in their own home, be productive and thrive.”
“Gabriel Housing Corporation and the Board of Directors are very pleased that our partners - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and the City of Regina - are assisting us in reaching our goal of providing safe, healthy and affordable housing units to Aboriginal families,” Moran said. “Through our partnership with Aboriginal Family Services Centre, the new units will enable Gabriel Housing Corporation to provide the necessary support services to the families so that they can maintain a healthy lifestyle and home for their families.”
Quick facts:
- This project consists of six one-bedroom (480 square feet or 44.59 square metres) and six two-bedroom units (680 square feet or 63.17 square metres) in a four-level apartment building (first floor is parking and mechanical) on land owned by Gabriel at 3876 Rae Street. All units are accessible by elevator.
- The federal and provincial governments, through CMHC and SHC, are jointly contributing up to $1.63 million toward the project under the Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2014-2019 Agreement.
- City of Regina will provide $240,000 in funding, plus additional incentives toward the project. Gabriel is contributing about $1.1 million in the form of cash/land equity and mortgage financing.
- Gabriel is a non-profit organization established in 1981 to help improve housing and employment opportunities for Métis people in Regina. Gabriel owns and operates more than 300 social and affordable housing units in Regina.
- Gabriel will be leasing the building to Aboriginal Family Services (AFS) who will provide the tenants and support services.
- This investment supports Saskatchewan’s Poverty Reduction Strategy goal of ensuring Saskatchewan people have access to affordable, safe, secure and stable housing.
- CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of CMHC’s operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca or follow CMHC on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
- In October 2012, 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. Since 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $750 million to develop or repair more than 15,500 housing units across our province.
For more information, contact:
Émilie Gauduchon
Office of Minister Duclos
Ottawa
Phone: 819-654-5546
Email: Emilie.Gauduchon@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Gabriel Teo
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Vancouver
Phone: 604-737-4137
Email: gteo@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246
Email: linda.saliken@gov.sk.ca