HOUSING COMPLEX FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OPENS

Federal, provincial and community partners gathered in Moose Jaw today to celebrate the official opening of Wakamow Place, a new housing complex for people with cognitive disabilities. The complex received funding from all three levels of government totaling $880,000.

The project was undertaken by the Moose Jaw Non Profit Housing Corporation and is supported through the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP), part of Saskatchewan's HomeFirst strategy.

"Canada's new government is proud to be supporting Wakamow Place," Member of Parilament for Palliser Dave Batters said on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. "We are committed to helping local organizations develop housing solutions that meet the needs of all the members of their communities."

"This project exemplifies what HomeFirst is all about, which is providing low-income Saskatchewan residents the opportunity to live in safe, affordable housing," Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger said. "It also supports our commitment to support independence for people with disabilities. We are pleased to work with the federal and municipal government and community partners to make projects like this a reality, and to ensure that no one is left behind."

"This project fills a void that has existed in the city relating to providing affordable housing to people with cognitive disabilities," Moose Jaw Mayor Al Schwinghamer said. "Congratulations to everyone who partnered with the City of Moose Jaw to provide this very worthwhile facility to our city."

The housing project features 16 apartment-style housing units, designed with affordability, accessibility and sustainability. Wakamow Place has been nominated for a CMHC Housing Award because it demonstrates best practices in affordable housing.

The breakdown of CAHP funding is: $440,000 from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, $352,000 from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and $88,000 from the City of Moose Jaw. The balance of the funding for the $1.64 million project comes from the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative ($541,725) and other financing totalling $214,785.

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For More Information, Contact:

Trudy Jackson Community Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-4011

Clare McWilliams CMHC Calgary Phone: (403) 515-2962