Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Yorkton

YORKTON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - Sept. 12, 2012) - Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, 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 Greg Ottenbreit, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Yorkton, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, today celebrated the official opening of a local housing initiative for seniors in Yorkton.

Funding in the amount of more than $2.4 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.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our Government is taking concrete action to help ensure economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth," said MP Breitkreuz. "Funding projects like Allan Bay Manor will not only improve the overall housing conditions for seniors, but also helps to stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

"Our Government's goal is to put people first and help them to secure their futures through affordable housing," said MLA Ottenbreit. "Today's opening of Allan Bay Manor aligns with this vision, as well as the priorities outlined in our Provincial Housing Strategy which include the need to increase housing supply, to improve housing affordability and to support people in greatest housing need in Saskatchewan. Allan Bay Manor is a perfect example of the Strategy in action, and what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together as one."

"The Yorkton Housing Corporation was formed in 1959 to provide adequate, suitable, safe and affordable housing for the benefit of residents of the City of Yorkton," said Les Arnelien, Chair of the Yorkton Housing Corporation. "With this new 22-unit project, we now manage a total of 132 units. Thank you to our federal government, our provincial government and the City of Yorkton for your investment in our community and our seniors."

Located at 25 Allan Bay in Yorkton, the project consists of 22 one-bedroom units for rent to seniors of low-to moderate-income. The Government of Saskatchewan, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, continues to work with for-profit and not-for-profit sectors to develop new housing opportunities throughout the province. Since November 2007, there have been 66 housing units built in Yorkton.

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.

Since March 2011, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed $344 million to housing initiatives. It is expected that these investments will result in over 12,600 new and rejuvenated housing units.

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.