SASKATCHEWAN RENTAL HOUSING SUPPLEMENT ANNOUNCED

The Saskatchewan government is the first in Canada to offer low-income families and people with disabilities a Rental Housing Supplement to help them find affordable housing that meets health and safety standards. The program is an investment of $10 million by the provincial government and people can start applying in April.

"This new supplement is part of my government's goal to make Saskatchewan the most affordable place to live and raise a family," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "This continues our Building Independence Initiative and our HomeFirst strategy which we announced last year and is another commitment we have made and are continuing to keep."

The supplement has two components, the Family Rental Housing Supplement and the Disability Rental Housing Supplement.

"This disability housing supplement will make accessible housing more affordable for people with disabilities," Community Resources and Employment Minister and Minister responsible for Disability Issues Joanne Crofford said. "Saskatchewan continues to move the disability agenda forward with this important disability support."

The supplement is a part of the HomeFirst initiative announced in the 2004/05 budget. The program is expected to help up to 10,000 families through the Family Rental Housing Supplement and up to 3,000 households through the Disability Rental Housing Supplement. The maximum amount available under the Family Rental Housing Supplement will be $113 per month per family. For those families also receiving the Disability Rental Housing Supplement, the maximum amount received per month will be $151.

The amount of the Family Rental Housing Supplement will depend on the applicants' family size, household income and local rental market. If the applicant's rental property does not meet health and safety requirements, the applicant can access the supplement once current accommodation is repaired or better housing is found. Assistance is available to landlords to improve their properties through repair programs offered through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

The Disability Rental Housing Supplement is available to single individuals, couples without children, and families. To qualify, at least one member of the family will have a disability that affects their need for housing.

When the supplement officially begins in April, applicants can call the Contact Centre and make their application over the telephone. The start date to start for receiving applications will be announced in early April.

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For More Information, Contact:

Greg Urbanoski Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-4011