Federal and Provincial Governments Reinvest in Social and Affordable Rental Housing in Saskatchewan

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - Nov. 13, 2012) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan today announced the results of a $102 million investment over two years to renovate and repair existing social and affordable housing units across Saskatchewan. The 572 renovated projects have improved housing quality and accessibility for residents in 206 communities in the province

Tom Lukiwski, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, June Draude, made the announcement today.

"Our Government is providing a hand-up to those who need it most here in Regina and across Canada," said PS Lukiwski. "Projects like these helped to create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing access to safe and affordable housing for Canadians."

"The province is pleased to work with the federal government to improve the existing affordable and social rental housing portfolio in communities across Saskatchewan," Draude said. "We are committed to putting people first, and we need to ensure that government-funded housing stock remains viable for future generations. Our partnership with the Government of Canada allows us to provide more housing options for Saskatchewan families in need."

The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to an overall investment of more than $102 million under Canada's Economic Action Plan to renovate and retrofit social housing units. Eligible improvements included replacing roofs, windows, siding, mechanical equipment and elevators. In the Province of Saskatchewan, there are over 23,200 government funded rental housing units. The majority of these units were developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Government of Saskatchewan continues to build new affordable housing and repair existing units for citizens of Saskatchewan with housing needs.

Today's announcement was made at Grace Place located on Victoria Avenue which also received funding for the addition of three new seniors housing units. Completed in October 2011, the three new seniors housing units included one two-bedroom unit and two one-bedroom units, of which one of them was fully wheelchair accessible.

The amendment to the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which included funding under Canada's Economic Action Plan, signed in May 2009, brought federal housing support of $74 million to the province. The Government of Saskatchewan matched that commitment for a total of $148 million to assist those in housing need and, in collaboration with other levels of government and community partners, to make various types of affordable housing programs possible. In Saskatchewan, federal-provincial housing programs are delivered through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

The Government of Saskatchewan has committed $344 million to create more than 12,600 new housing units across the province by 2016.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Saskatchewan, this represents some 29,900 households. 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.

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.gc.ca.