NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR REGINA FAMILIES

Twenty-four Regina families will soon have a place to call home thanks to the development of new affordable housing units in the Coronation Park area.

Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude joined Chairman Edmund Bellegarde from the Silver Sage Housing Corporation and Councillor Mike O'Donnell from the City of Regina at an official sod turning this morning to celebrate the new housing development. The Government of Saskatchewan will provide $2.3 million in capital funding from the First Nations Housing Trust Fund to support the project.

"I am excited to see developments like this under construction," Draude said. "These new dwellings will increase housing supply and support families in greatest need - two goals of the recently announced provincial housing strategy and action plan."

"This new housing development supports our organization's founding principles that recognize the portability of our Treaty Right to Shelter for our members living off-reserve," Silver Sage Board of Directors Chairman and File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Chairman Edmund Bellegarde said. "These new units will give access to modern and affordable housing for 24 families. We will continue working with our partners, the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and the City of Regina, to address the needs of affordable housing for our urban families."

"The City of Regina is pleased to contribute to this exciting affordable housing development," Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said. "This project is ideally located within walking distance of transit service and amenities such as a grocery store and will contribute to the renewed vibrancy of the Coronation Park neighbourhood. We will see an underused property transformed into affordable housing that families can proudly call home."

Located behind Third Avenue North in the Coronation Park area, the development consists of 24 townhouse style units. The project is being undertaken by Silver Sage Housing Corporation, a non-profit housing organization dedicated to housing First Nations people in well-maintained affordable rental units.

Last month, the Government of Saskatchewan released A Strong Foundation - The Housing Strategy for Saskatchewan, as well as the Provincial Action Plan 2011-12, which outlines the government's key activities for the strategy's first year of implementation.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8689