GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SWIFT CURRENT

David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board and Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills-Grasslands, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude, today announced support for a local housing initiative for seniors.

Funding in the amount of $2.4 million 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.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

"I am delighted to see construction continuing on this project, which was made possible through Canada's Economic Action Plan," said Anderson. "When complete, this development will provide quality, affordable living for more seniors, allowing them to remain in the community they know and love."

"This project will provide a safe place for seniors to live, with access to supports and recreation opportunities in Swift Current and the surrounding area," Draude said. "Just as growth is a means to an end for our province, so too is a stable place to call home for every one of our citizens. This project is another expression of the Saskatchewan Advantage, which is our government's ongoing effort to make growth work for the people of this province."

The provincial and federal governments are each contributing $1.2 million to the 24-unit housing project, which is being developed by Prairie Pioneers Independent Housing Inc. for low-income seniors. Located at Gladstone Street West in Swift Current, the homes will consist of six single-storey, one-bedroom four-plex units located adjacent to existing Prairie Pioneers seniors' housing.

"Our vision for this project is to provide affordable rental housing for our seniors," Construction Chair and Prairie Pioneers Board of Directors member Dennis Olfert said. "We are very pleased that both the federal and provincial governments contributed substantially to this project, for which we thank them. We also thank the City of Swift Current for their contribution to this project by providing a tax abatement on an annual basis."

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over 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 is matching 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 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.

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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