Governments Of Canada And Saskatchewan Support Northern Saskatchewan Housing Initiatives

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), Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Paul Merriman, and Town of La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich made the announcement today.

“Through major new investments in affordable housing, our government is providing assistance to those who need it most in La Ronge and in all corners of the country,” said Goodale.  “We are working to cut chronic homelessness in half and to provide those fleeing domestic violence access to stable and supportive environments.  These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the economy, while providing access to safe, affordable homes.”
“Meeting the housing needs of northern Saskatchewan residents and contributing to their safety is a priority for our government,” Merriman said.  “Providing adequate housing is necessary to the health, safety and wellness of our northern communities, and these initiatives reflect that commitment.  Through our work with the federal government on the National Housing Strategy, we will continue to ensure housing support for Saskatchewan’s most remote citizens.”

“On behalf of the Town of La Ronge, I take pride in congratulating the La Ronge Native Women’s Association, and the La Ronge Housing Corporation, on the opening of these new housing facilities that will benefit residents of communities comprising the La Ronge region,” Woytowich said.  “We acknowledge and thank both the province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada for understanding the need that exists and providing the financial support to make these facilities a reality.”

Quick Facts:

• Located in La Ronge, Spruce Manor is a new seniors’ housing project consisting of two buildings.  The first is a 10-unit, one-level building with six two-bedroom units and four one-bedroom units.  The second is a semi-detached building with two two-bedroom units.  Four of the units are barrier-free for all ability levels.  All 12 units are social housing units; rents will be set at an affordable level based on tenants’ income.  Spruce Manor will be managed by La Ronge Regional Housing Authority.
• Two projects are serving victims of domestic violence in the north.  Located in La Ronge, the first project, at Piwapan Women’s Shelter, has improved safety, building longevity and wheelchair accessibility at the shelter, which continued to shelter women and children fleeing domestic violence throughout the intensive renovation.  The second project, Sapohtewan House, is now providing four units of “second stage” rental housing to families exiting Piwapan Women’s Shelter.  La Ronge Native Women’s Council operates Piwapan Women’s Shelter and Sapohtewan House.
• In addition to the La Ronge projects, the federal and provincial governments, in collaboration with northern stakeholders, have also invested in the following housing projects to meet various community needs:
  • More than $2.8 million in funding for 28 affordable rental units in La Loche (16 single-parent family units have been completed, six are nearly completed and six are conditionally approved for government funding);
  • Approximately $910,000 for the construction of six units for seniors in La Loche;
  • A total of more than $840,000 toward four northern trades training initiative homes (two homes in each of La Loche and Île-à-la-Crosse) constructed by participating students in their respective school divisions;
  • Up to $1.1 million toward the completion of Pinehouse Housing Corporation’s Hilltop Triplex family project (nine affordable rental units) in Pinehouse Lake; and
  • $750,000 in provincial funding, announced by Premier Scott Moe in January 2019, to support the development of 12 new housing units in La Loche for professionals who deliver programs to northern residents, including health and education programs.
• Since 2007, the federal and provincial governments have provided a combined investment of $41 million to support housing in northern Saskatchewan to develop 123 SHC-owned rental units, 161 third-party-owned rental units, 85 homeowner units, and to twice rejuvenate eight third-party-owned shelter bedrooms.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy, an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
• SHC supports the growth of a stronger housing market in the north by increasing housing supply, providing housing support to individuals and families in greatest need, enhancing strategic planning for housing and creating opportunities for private sector investment in affordable housing.

Associated Links:

• 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 all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry.  For more information, please visit www.cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.  To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca. 
• 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 $790 million to develop or repair more than 16,000 housing units across our province.  To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Valérie Glazer 
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development 
Ottawa
Phone: 819-654-5546 
Email: valerie.glazer@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Leonard Catling
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 604-787-1787
Email: lcatling@cmhc-schl.gc.ca 

Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca