Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Break Ground on New Affordable Housing

YORKTON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Nov. 28, 2014) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with the city and the Yorkton Housing Corporation, officially broke ground for a new rental housing project. The project consists of 11 bachelor style units for individuals with low- to moderate-income who are unable to find or maintain secure housing without support services.

Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with the Honourable Greg Ottenbreit, Minister Responsible for Rural and Remote Health, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and His Worship Bob Maloney, Mayor of the City of Yorkton, made the announcement today.

"Our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, is helping to make affordable housing available in Saskatchewan and is making unprecedented investments in affordable housing across Canada," said MP Breitkreuz. "These new units in Yorkton will give more options to individuals with low-income and special needs who are looking for a safe and affordable place that they can call home. We are proud to work with our partners to make Fromm Manor a reality."

"We are proud to support this project in partnership with the Government of Canada, the City of Yorkton and the Yorkton Housing Corporation," Minister Ottenbreit said. "By working together, we are enhancing the quality of homes and making housing more affordable for low-income singles in this community. Our plan is to continue to move forward and keep Saskatchewan strong, now and in the future".

"The City of Yorkton is very pleased to be able to build another rental housing project consisting of 11 bachelor suites to address the needs of our citizens," Chair of the Yorkton Housing Corporation and City Councillor Les Arnelian said. "This will complement our four other housing projects consisting of 132 units. We want to thank the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan for their financial support of this project and for making housing more affordable for low income singles within our community".

Located at 34 Tupper Avenue in Yorkton, the apartments are being built near the downtown area to access needed support services such as a pharmacy and medical clinic. The units will be contained in one building to foster companionship and support among the residents.

The total cost of the project is approximately $1.6 million. The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Province of Saskatchewan, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), contributed a combined total of $1.14 million through the Investment in Affordable Housing 2014-2019 agreement. The City of Yorkton donated the land ($116,000) and provided $365,000 in mortgage financing. The Yorkton Housing Corporation contributed the funding balance of about $7,800.

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.