HOUSING COMPLEX FOR SENIORS OPENS IN UNITY

A new, affordable housing project in Unity is officially open for low-income seniors, thanks to federal, provincial and municipal funding.

Parkview Place is a single storey building which offers 20 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom affordable rental units. The project was carried out by the Unity and District Seniors Lodge Project Inc. and supported through the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP). CAHP is a key component of Saskatchewan's HomeFirst strategy whereby citizens have access to homes that promote health, independence, security and dignity, and that enhance the social and economic well-being of communities.

"Seniors in Unity now have more access to quality, affordable housing that meets their needs, and allows them to remain close to their families and friends," said Gerry Ritz, Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. "Canada's new government is proud to support projects like this. We are also helping seniors and pensioners through a proposed Tax Fairness Plan that will allow income splitting and deliver more than a billion dollars in tax relief annually."

"This community-focused project will enable low-income seniors to live independently in a supportive setting and remain active members of the community," Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger said. "Finding solutions to housing needs requires the support of the community, and this project clearly demonstrates how that can be done successfully. Through HomeFirst, we are helping make the lives of our seniors better so they can remain independent and maintain their quality of life."

"The residents of Unity District have once again demonstrated their incredible ability to direct the future of their community through the construction of Parkview Place," Unity Mayor Kathryn Johnson said. "We are very fortunate to now be able to provide a variety of housing options to a very important segment of our population, our seniors."

The total cost of the project is $3,500,000. The Centenary Affordable Housing Program provided $960,000 to the Unity and District Seniors Lodge Project Inc. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation contributed $480,000, with Saskatchewan Housing Corporation providing $384,000 and the Town of Unity providing $96,000. The funding balance is being provided through fundraising and mortgage financing.

Unity and District Seniors Lodge Project Inc. is a registered non-profit organization. The group has fundraised over $1.8 million, which clearly demonstrates community support for this housing project.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Kimberlee Jones Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Calgary Phone: 403-515-3048	Linda Saliken Community Resources Regina Phone: 306-787-0246
Mayor Kathryn Johnson Town of Unity Unity Phone: 306-228-2621