GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN PRINCE ALBERT

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 today announced support for a local housing initiative for seniors.

Funding in the amount of $2.3 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 an 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 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.

"Our government is helping Canadian seniors during these tough economic times," said Hoback. "Year 2 of Canada's Economic Action Plan will continue to create jobs and support and stimulate the economy here in Prince Albert and in all corners of the country, support Canadian workers and families."

"Our government is pleased to help seniors in need of affordable housing right here in Prince Albert," Hickie said. "This project exemplifies a commitment on our part to work with the federal government to improve the quality of life for lower income Saskatchewan seniors and to help them remain in their communities."

The project will consist of an 18-unit single level garden apartment, with 16 two-bedroom units and two wheelchair accessible one-bedroom units. The project was undertaken by the Prince Albert Community Housing Society, a non-profit corporation that owns and manages a housing portfolio of more than 260 rental units for people in need of affordable housing within Prince Albert.

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.

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

Kimberlee Jones
CMHC
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-3048

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