Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Air Ronge

AIR RONGE, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - Aug. 20, 2012) - Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corp, today celebrated the official opening of a local housing initiative for seniors in Air Ronge.

Funding in the amount of $1.7 million has been made available for the initiative through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $132 million under the amended Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

"Through the second year of Canada's Economic Action Plan, our Government remains committed to helping seniors in Saskatchewan and throughout the country during these tough economic times," said MP Clarke. "Projects like this one are providing safe, affordable housing to many residents in our community while creating jobs and stimulating our economy."

"There is a need for this type of housing for seniors in northern Saskatchewan," Minister Draude said. "I am very pleased to see 12 new units available to help meet the demand in Air Ronge. Our Government is pleased to work with the Government of Canada and private developers to bring projects like this one to fruition. In turn, the seniors of our province benefit, through increased access to affordable housing options."

The project consists of 12 two-bedroom units, constructed as a one-storey complex in Air Ronge. The federal and provincial governments contributed $1.7 million towards this project.

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 is matching 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 Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $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-schl.gc.ca.