Groundbreaking for New Affordable Housing in Saskatoon

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - May 18, 2012) - Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. celebrated their groundbreaking today. The new housing complex will consist of 34 units (32 townhouse units and two accessible units) located close to services and amenities. The homes will be targeted to low-income families and families new to Canada.

Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, 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 Jennifer Campeau, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon-Fairview, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

"Our Government believes that all Canadians need a stable, safe and affordable place to call home," said MP Block. "We are committed to helping deliver affordable housing solutions in partnership with the provinces and territories, along with opportunities for economic growth."

"This project is the first Saskatchewan initiative to break ground under the new Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement," said MLA Campeau. "Our government is pleased that this framework will help provide a range of housing solutions that will meet the unique needs of Saskatchewan people. We are committed to moving Saskatchewan forward on the housing front and to working with the Government of Canada to help make that happen."

Westgate Heights will consist of 34 units comprised of either three, four or five bedrooms per unit. Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is providing $2.5 million from the federal and provincial Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement towards this project. Since November 2007, 862 affordable rental units have been completed in Saskatoon. An additional 167 rental units are currently under construction, including the Westgate Heights project. The development is being undertaken by Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc., a non-profit organization closely affiliated with Westgate Alliance Church, a faith-based organization in Saskatoon.

"The Westgate Alliance Church formed Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. to facilitate the building, renting and maintenance of attainable, quality transitional housing for low income people," said Westgate Alliance Church Reverend Doctor Frank Jeske. "Over two acres of land controlled by Westgate Alliance Church are being transferred to Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. to fulfill this purpose. This project would not be possible without the assistance of all our partners. It is Westgate Alliance Church's desire that, in the years to come, it will continue to be a contributor to the healthy development of the community it is part of."

This funding comes as a result of the recently announced $55 million Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. Under the agreement, the Province of Saskatchewan will use the funds to create new and renovate existing affordable housing for households in need.

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 units. This includes the newly announced Corporate Income Tax Rebate on New Rental Housing - an estimated $34 million for the first five years. Along with the Rental Construction Incentive, the Rebate will create up to 10,000 new rental units, a 29 per cent increase in the primary rental market in Saskatchewan.

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.ca.