New Prince Albert Housing Project Offers Safe, Affordable Homes For Individuals With Complex Needs

PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Nov. 18, 2016) - The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, along with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Prince Albert Branch, officially opened eight units of affordable housing with support services for individuals with complex needs in Prince Albert.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Joe Hargrave, Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Prince Albert Carlton, on behalf of the Honourable Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), and Doug Kinar, Executive Director of CMHA Prince Albert Branch, made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• The Federal and Provincial Governments, through CMHC and SHC, are jointly contributing up to $900,000 towards the eight-unit project under the five-year cost-sharing Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) (2014-2019) Agreement.
  
  
• An additional $390,000 will be provided by CMHA in the form of mortgage financing.
  
  
• This investment supports the Province's Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan goal to increase community capacity to support people living with persistent and complex mental health and addictions issues, including housing and intensive team based supports.
  
  
• Located at 581 and 585 7^th Street East (formerly 783 6^th Avenue East) in Prince Albert, the project consists of the new construction of 8 one-bedroom units in the four-plex style with each unit approximately 560 square feet (52 square meters).
  
  
• CMHA is a non-profit corporation which has been operating in Prince Albert since 1991. Focusing on assisting those with mental health illness, it also provides a drop-in center (The Nest), vocational, recreation, education and wellness programming, as well as a community kitchen and a lunch program.
  
  
• Independent living supports for tenants will be provided by CMHA Prince Alberta Branch, with additional support services and programming from the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
  
  

Quotes:

"Our Government's continued investment in housing is improving the lives of Canadians. Thanks to strong partnerships, people living with complex needs have more affordable housing options and the support services they need to help them reintegrate into their community." - Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

"The development of strategies, including the Saskatchewan Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Disability Strategy and the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, builds on our Government's commitment to ensure everyone in the province has the opportunity to access affordable housing which provides the foundation to improve well-being, raise families and build strong communities. We will continue to work with our partners to improve access to safe, secure and affordable housing for all Saskatchewan people, and keep Saskatchewan strong." - Honourable Joe Hargrave, Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Prince Albert Carlton, on behalf of the Honourable Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC)

"CMHA Prince Albert Branch is continually searching for innovative ways to address mental wellness in our community. Affordable housing is a priority for people living with complex needs. We are proud to be able to provide supported housing through our housing program. The support we provide develops skills needed to be able to live independently. Tenants in our buildings are able to live with dignity and respect. Our support worker is able to provide skill development and encourage autonomy while maintaining healthy living patterns. All eight units have tenants waiting for them and we still have a waiting list. More affordable housing is needed. CMHA Prince Albert Branch appreciates the opportunity to develop more housing options provided by our levels of government." - Doug Kinar, Executive Director of CMHA Prince Albert Branch

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• CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of CMHC's operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642, visit www.cmhc.ca or follow CMHC on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn or Facebook.

• 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 almost $700 million to develop and repair more than 14,600 homes around the province.