MEADOW LAKE PROJECT OFFERS COMMUNITY MULTIPLE BENEFITS

The Meadow Lake Outreach Ministry has received $700,000 under the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP) for a 16-unit, three-storey low-rise apartment building for single women and their children.

"The Government of Canada is committed to helping single mothers and their children," said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, on behalf of Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. "A safe, warm place to live is one of our most urgent needs. We are working with local organizations to find housing solutions for the people of northern Saskatchewan."

"Our HomeFirst strategy is all about helping people find a place to call home so they can open the doors to their own independence," Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said. "These projects help people in northern communities improve stability and increase opportunities to seek education and find employment."

Meadow Lake Outreach Ministries Inc. is a community-based non-profit corporation in Meadow Lake, incorporated in 1992. The organization works under the operational name Door of Hope and primarily provides support and help to lower-income and disadvantaged people in the community through a large number of social programs.

The project is approximately 17,714 square feet and will provide transitional/affordable housing with two transitional suites accommodating eight beds and 14 affordable units made up of one one-bedroom unit, 12 two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit. In addition to the transitional and affordable housing units, the building is proposed to house a licensed daycare centre to provide childcare and support to tenants and low-income families in the neighbouring area.

The breakdown of the CAHP contribution has Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation providing $350,000 in funding, the provincial government providing $280,000 in funding and the Town of Meadow Lake with an in-kind land contribution of $70,000. Human Resources Skills and Development Canada will provide $750,000 announced in May and a mortgage of $127,705 will provide the balance of funding.

Funded under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Agreement, CAHP 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:

Greg Urbanoski Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-4011 Cell: (306) 537-2879

Jason Cobb Canada Mortgage and Housing Calgary Phone: (403) 515-2903