Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Celebrate New Affordable Housing in North Battleford

NORTH BATTLEFORD, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Oct. 17, 2014) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with the City of North Battleford, the Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. and North Battleford Transitional Living Inc., today celebrated the completion of a new rental project in North Battleford. The two-storey eight, unit bachelor-style apartments are directed at Aboriginal individuals with physical disabilities, addiction issues or mental health challenges who are in housing need.

The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with Herb Cox, Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Battlefords, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, made the announcement.

"Our Government is committed to working with Saskatchewan so that our federal investments in housing are directed towards their local needs and priorities," said Minister Bergen. "With the completion of this new rental project, North Battleford has more quality, affordable housing available."

"This project is an outstanding example of our shared commitment with the Government of Canada, the City of North Battleford, the Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. and North Battleford Transitional Living to help meet the need for housing in North Battleford and, most importantly, improve the well-being of the people who live here," MLA Cox said. "There is no question that these homes meet the goals set out in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, which includes helping to change people's lives for the better through affordable and appropriate housing."

"The City of North Battleford is pleased to partner with our federal and provincial governments, the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Community Development Corporation, and the North Battleford Transitional Living Initiative to provide access to affordable housing opportunities for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and help them transition to independent living," North Battleford Mayor Ian Hamilton said. "The City of North Battleford has worked hard to make this housing project a reality and I'm grateful for the contributions of all our partners in offering a hand-up to those most in need in our city."

The City of North Battleford managed the pre-development and development of the building and has transferred the project to the North Battleford Transitional Living Inc. Each apartment has a separate entrance, a built-in kitchen and a private bathroom.

The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Province of Saskatchewan, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, contributed a combined total of $425,000 through the Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement. Employment and Social Development Canada also contributed $474,000 under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. The City of North Battleford donated the land and professional services. Financial assistance was provided by Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve 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. 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.

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 over $520 million to develop and repair more than 11,600 homes around the province.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.