At Risk Adults in Saskatoon to Benefit From New Affordable Housing Project

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Aug. 28, 2013) - Some of Saskatoon's most vulnerable citizens will soon have access to more safe housing while they move towards living independently. Located in Saskatoon's Fairhaven neighbourhood, the Camponi Transitional Housing project will provide safe and affordable housing for individuals with complex needs, including some with intellectual disabilities or addiction issues. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, along with Saskatoon Housing Coalition, celebrated the groundbreaking for the project today.

Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with Jennifer Campeau, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon Fairview, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), made the announcement.

"Our Government is investing in affordable housing here in Saskatoon and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most," said MP Block. "With our partners, we are providing a helping hand for individuals in need, and in doing so, we are contributing to the economic and social well-being of the entire community. 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."

"Homes like Camponi Transitional Housing project provide residents with a safe place to live as they build their lives for the future," Campeau said. "This transitional housing will enable them to address the challenges they face in a supportive environment, while working toward eventually living independently."

"In this great economy in Saskatoon we want everyone to have the opportunity to succeed: to fulfill their hopes and dreams," Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison said. "The Camponi Transitional Housing project will be a life saving step forward for many who are intellectually challenged. We are proud once again to partner with the federal and provincial governments, as Saskatoon's nationally recognized Attainable Housing Program continues to provide safe and secure homes."

"Our entire organization is greatly appreciative for the funding contributions from the various levels of government to construct this 20-unit apartment building," said Saskatoon Housing Coalition Executive Director Jo-Ann Coleman Pidskalny. "The future tenants of this building will benefit from affordable supportive housing services while they move along their road to recovery and an improved quality of life."

The project consists of 20 bachelor-style apartment units, located at 319 Camponi Place in Saskatoon. Construction is expected to be complete in the fall of 2014, at a total cost of almost $3.5 million.

The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Province of Saskatchewan, through SHC, contributed a combined total of $2 million to the project. Included in additional funding is approximately $350,000 provided by the City of Saskatoon and $250,000 through Employment and Social Development Canada's Homelessness Partnership Strategy.

The $2 million combined federal/provincial 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 federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. More than 142,000 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2013.

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 Investment in Affordable Housing. 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.