Official Opening of a New Affordable Housing Project in Saskatoon

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - June 21, 2013) - The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, along with Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc., celebrated the official opening of a new affordable housing complex today. Located at 3323 Centennial Drive in Saskatoon, the 34-unit rental housing project will assist families in need of stable and affordable homes.

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 Rob Norris, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon Greystone, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), made the announcement.

"Through investments in affordable housing, our Government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Saskatoon and in all corners of the country," said MP Block. "We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security."

"Our Government is pleased to work with the Government of Canada and Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. to develop new housing opportunities for Saskatoon families," said MLA Norris. "Since November 2007, 1,029 affordable rental units have been completed in Saskatoon, which includes the 34 units we are opening today. These partnerships are not only commendable, but vital to meeting the current and future housing needs of this province."

"Our goal as a 21^st century city is to have a safe, warm place to live for every family in Saskatoon," said Mayor Donald Atchison. "Over the past six years, we have partnered with the private sector, the community and faith-based organizations to create more than 2,500 new homes. Today, through our Innovative Housing Incentives Program, we are excited to join our partners at the federal and provincial level and Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. Thirty-four more families in Saskatoon now have a place to call home."

"The desire of Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. is to continue to contribute to the healthy development of this community, and to meet needs that are still a reality," said Reverend Doctor Frank Jeske, Lead Pastor of Westgate Alliance Church. "This particular project meets a need for rental homes that can accommodate larger families in Saskatoon. Land controlled by Westgate Alliance Church Inc. was transferred to Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. for this purpose. The development of these homes would not have been possible without the assistance of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the City of Saskatoon and Affinity Credit Union. We are pleased to move forward in managing these units, realizing that the housing needs of 34 families have been met."

The new rental housing project consists of 34 townhouse-style homes, each containing three, four or five bedrooms, including two accessible units. Nearby amenities include schools, transportation services, grocery stores and green space.

The total project cost is approximately $7 million. Of that amount, a combined total of $2.5 million was contributed by the Government of Canada, through CMHC, and the Province of Saskatchewan, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. Additional funding of $700,000 was provided by the City of Saskatoon through its Innovative Housing Incentives Program. The funding balance, approximately $3.8 million, was contributed by Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. through mortgage financing and land equity. Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc. is a non-profit organization closely affiliated with Westgate Alliance Church, a faith-based organization in Saskatoon.

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

Economic Action Plan 2013 continues this commitment with a proposed federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. Funds provided to provinces and territories through IAH agreements will support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. More than 136,000 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011-December 31, 2012.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing. In Saskatchewan, this represents an estimated 28,000 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing. 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.

Last October, 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. Under the Plan, the province has invested $344 million to help create 12,600 new housing units and repair or upgrade approximately 24,000 more housing units around the province.

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.