CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN OFFICIALLY OPEN NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN PRINCE ALBERT

The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan today officially opened 10 new units of affordable rental housing for families in Prince Albert.

The announcement was made today by Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) along with Prince Albert-Carlton MLA Darryl Hickie, on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer and Prince Albert Mayor Jim Scarrow.

"Our government is dedicated to helping those in need in Saskatchewan through these tough economic times," said Hoback. "Through projects like these, the government is providing quality, affordable housing to many residents in our community while creating jobs and stimulating our local economy."

"Our government is committed to addressing housing affordability and availability in Prince Albert, as well as the entire province," Hickie said. "We are pleased to work with local people and local groups to help build better lives for Saskatchewan people through affordable housing."

The project consists of five duplexes for a total of 10 units. Located in the West Flats neighbourhood of Prince Albert, the project is designed for low-income larger families. The duplexes are 1,040 square feet, with three bedrooms and one bath each.

The $930,000 in funding was made available as a result of a joint investment under the amended Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which includes funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and by the Government of Saskatchewan. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment. The remaining funding was provided by the River Bank Development Corporation (River Bank), a non-profit organization, in the form of mortgage financing and in-kind contributions.

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

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.

More information on this and other measures found in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Michelle Bakos
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482

Megan Markin
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-2962

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246