NORTEP STUDENT APARTMENTS CELEBRATES OPENING

The Government of Canada, Province of Saskatchewan and private investors have joined forces to contribute to the opening of 48 affordable housing units in La Ronge for students.

The Northern Teachers Education Program/Northern Professional Access College (NORTEP/NORPAC) student apartments were opened today in La Ronge at a ceremony marking the graduation of students from the program. The project is targeted to house adult students and their families with low to moderate incomes.

"This investment from the Government of Canada will enable the NORTEP/NORPAC students to continue their studies in safe and affordable accommodations," said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, on behalf of Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. "We are committed to helping local organizations develop housing and homelessness solutions that meet the needs of their community."

NORTEP/NORPAC is an educational organization that provides university programs to northerners, especially students of aboriginal ancestry, to pursue careers in teaching as well as obtain three years of Arts and Science, which will lead to further studies other than education. A proposal to the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP) was received from the NORTEP Board to buy and rejuvenate two apartment blocks in La Ronge consisting of 48 units at 450 Bedford Road.

"The project supports the goals of our HomeFirst strategy by helping students in the North live in quality affordable housing," Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger said, on behalf of Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford. "As part of the strategy our government will develop 2,000 additional affordable housing units through the Centenary Affordable Housing Program by 2008."

"This is an excellent example of what can be accomplished with dedicated staff, a committed Board of Governors, and the co-operation with various levels of governments, financial institutions, fundraising and community and student support," NORTEP Board Chairman Bruce Ruelling said.

CMHC is providing $129,821 in funding. The project is also receiving $908,242 in funding from other provincial departments, $460,000 in funding from fundraising, $350,000 in funding from the Northern Lights Community Development Corporation and $150,000 from a vendor mortgage. NORTEP is providing the remainder in the form of cash and financing for the total cost of $2.6 million.

CAHP is funded under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Agreement. It provides $33 million in federal funding for affordable housing, matched by Saskatchewan, municipalities and other parties. With these matching contributions, a total of $66 million will be allocated by 2007-08 for affordable housing.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jason Cobb Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. Calgary Phone: (403) 515-2903	Peter Graham Office of Minister Fontana Ottawa Phone: (819) 953-5646
Greg Urbanoski Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-4011	Bruce Ruelling NORTEP/NORPAC La Ronge Phone: (306) 822-2114