HOMEFIRST OPENS THE DOOR TO INDEPENDENCE

Affordable, quality and sustainable housing is the vision of the new HomeFirst initiative launched today by the Government of Saskatchewan.

"HomeFirst is a five-year plan to invest $200 million and directly benefit more than 17,000 households annually. In 2004/05, $25 million will be invested in developing new affordable housing and in renovation grants for low to moderate-income households," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "We are introducing a new and innovative approach to affordable housing that will help Saskatchewan people help themselves, their families and their communities."

"HomeFirst will help us build stability, increase affordability and enhance quality," Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said. "A good home is vital to individual and family health and well-being. It is also the starting point to independence and lasting participation in the social and economic life of the province."

HomeFirst was developed by working with partners at the community level and in the private sector. It is targeted at low to moderate-income families, seniors, First Nations and Métis People, persons with special needs and those living in the north.

Under the roof of the HomeFirst initiative, over the next five years:

· 2,000 new ownership and rental homes will result in approximately 3,100 person years of employment and will generate up to $300 million in the construction and renovation sectors;

· Up to 10,000 low-income families will benefit from a new housing supplement developed in 2004 and implemented in 2005;

· Disability housing supplement, to be implemented in 2005, will benefit up to 1,600 households;

· 3,000 homes will be repaired and made more energy efficient;

· 500 home ownership opportunities will be created within government-assisted housing for low to moderate-income families; and

· Improved energy efficiency in new and repaired government-assisted housing will contribute to a greener environment and fewer costs for residents.

HomeFirst is a key component of Saskatchewan's innovative Building Independence Strategy – an initiative to help people get into meaningful work and off welfare. Saskatchewan is a province with a wide open future, and many families are moving from welfare to independence as a result of their hard work, a growing economy and our Building Independence Strategy.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Terry Lazarou Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-8689