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Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Prince Albert

Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, 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 MLA Darryl Hickie, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services, and Jim Scarrow, Mayor of Prince Albert, today announced support for a local housing initiative for persons with disabilities.

Funding in the amount of $679,500 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. Other funding includes $400,000 from the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy and $54,500 from the City of Prince Albert.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is helping Canadians during these tough economic times,” said MP Hoback. “Here in Prince Albert, this achievement gives a hand-up to low-income youth who need safe, affordable housing that meets their needs. This is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly.”

“Our government is pleased to help provide safe, affordable housing for at-risk youth in the community of Prince Albert,” MLA Darryl Hickie said. “This aligns with our vision of putting vulnerable people first and helping them build better lives for themselves. Affordable housing is a key component of that.”

“Affordable housing is a community matter and this project is another example that, by working together, we can respond to the needs of individuals and families who are most vulnerable, by providing safe, secure and affordable housing for all,” said Mayor Jim Scarrow. “This project will provide these individuals with a home for a successful transition to living independently. Together we can build a greater city and province.”

Persons with disabilities often have difficulty finding housing that meets their specific needs. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $75 million over two years to build new rental housing for persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

The eight-plex, located at 74 – 18th Street West in Prince Albert, will provide safe, affordable housing for very low-income youth with mental health and cognitive disabilities. Four of the units will be for those who are also homeless or at risk of homelessness. The residence is located within walking distance of the downtown core and a local drop-in centre, The Nest, which provides meals and programs that address independent living skills and employment initiatives.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

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 will match 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.

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Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan Break Ground on New Affordable Housing Project in Prince Albert

Posted by Moishe Alexander

Low-income families in Prince Albert will soon have more affordable housing options as ground was broken today for a new 26-unit housing complex.

The announcement was made by Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The federal contribution comes through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The Economic Action Plan includes an additional $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Saskatchewan and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Hoback. “Through this investment we are stimulating the local economy and creating jobs. We are also making an important difference in the lives of individuals and families in Prince Albert who are working towards building a stronger and better future for themselves.”

“Our government is committed to ensuring a better life for all Saskatchewan people,” Prince Albert MLA Darryl Hickie said, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. “This is an exciting development for Prince Albert citizens, and we are pleased to work together with the federal government and other community partners to help bring this project to fruition.”

The project will consist of the new construction of an 18-unit row housing building on one parcel of land and two four-plexes (eight units) on a separate parcel. Prince Albert Community Housing Society Inc. (PACH), a non-profit corporation, is developing the project.

The estimated total cost of the project is $4 million. PACH was approved for $2.8 million under the Rental Development Program, which is cost-shared equally by the federal and provincial governments. This represents 70 per cent of the total cost. The remaining funds will be provided by PACH in the form of mortgage/investment financing and owner’s equity.