May 19, 2009
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SASKATCHEWAN GETS A $161-MILLION BOOST
SASKATOON- The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan
are partnering on a joint investment to build new and renovate
existing affordable housing. This investment will help create
jobs, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life
for Saskatchewan families.
Both levels of government officially signed an amendment to
the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement
and an extension to the Canada-Saskatchewan Housing Renovation
Program Agreement, resulting in a joint investment of more than
$161 million over the next two years.
Today’s event was held at Monarch Yards, an affordable
rental housing project for low-income families which celebrated
its official opening today.
Ed Komarnicki, Federal Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister
of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and to the
Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley,
Minister of HRSDC and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation, along with the Honourable Donna Harpauer,
Saskatchewan’s Minister of Social Services, made the announcement
at a signing ceremony today.
“The Government of Canada continues to work hard to support
Canadians during these challenging economic times and has moved
aggressively to ensure Canada’s Economic Action Plan is
implemented rapidly,” said Mr. Komarnicki. “We are
helping the most vulnerable, including seniors and persons with
disabilities, access suitable, affordable housing, as well as
making needed renovations to existing social housing both in
Saskatchewan and across Canada.”
“Together with our federal partners, our government is
strongly committed to making affordable housing available in
Saskatchewan,” said the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Saskatchewan
Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan
Housing Corporation. “We welcome this significant investment,
which underlines our resolve to honour this historical agreement
and to build brighter futures for Saskatchewan families, seniors
and persons with disabilities.”
Today’s announcement includes federal funding of $66 million
over two years under Canada’s Economic Action Plan as
part of a one-time investment of more than $2 billion to build
new and renovate existing social housing in Canada. The province
will also contribute $66 million for these initiatives over
the next two years.
These investments build upon the $1.9-billion commitment for
housing and homelessness programs announced by the Government
of Canada in September 2008, which extended the Affordable Housing
Initiative and the renovation programs for low-income households
for two years. Today’s announcement includes a further
combined investment of $29 million by both levels of government
for the two-year extensions to build new affordable housing
and assist low-income households with needed renovations to
their homes.
Overall, the federal contribution is $84 million, while the
province is contributing a further $77 million for the combined
investment of over $161 million.
In addition to this funding commitment, a new 55-unit affordable
housing project for low and moderate-income families was officially
opened in Saskatoon today. This project was funded by the Government
of Canada, the Province of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon
under the existing AHI program.
Located at Avenue L and 20th Street, the project consists of
an 18-unit complex of two-and three-bedroom townhouses and a
37-unit rental apartment building. The total project cost of
nearly $11.8 million was provided by the three levels of government:
$5.9 million from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; $4.7
million from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation; and $1.18 million
from the City of Saskatoon, which also supported the project
through its Enterprise Zone Initiatives.
CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency for more
than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access
a wide choice of quality, affordable homes and making vibrant
and sustainable communities and cities a reality across the
country.
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.ca/housingactionplan.
For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan,
call 1-800-O Canada.
