MORE AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING IN SASKATOON

Renters in Saskatoon have access to more quality, affordable housing with the official opening today of a renovated 24-unit apartment building in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood.

The opening was announced by the Honourable Carol Skelton, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Bigger on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development; Saskatchewan Labour Minister David Forbes on behalf of Community Resources Minister Kevin Yates; and City of Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison.

"Canada's New Government is committed to helping create new affordable housing across Saskatchewan for those who need it most," Skelton said. "We are pleased to be working with our partners in both the public and private sector to help those individuals and families in Saskatoon who are working towards building a better and stronger future."

"Through HomeFirst, our provincial housing strategy, we are working with local people and local groups across Saskatchewan to help lower-income families get the quality, affordable housing they need and the independence they deserve," Forbes said. "By working to ensure that all citizens have homes that promote health, dignity, security and independence we are building a better future for the people of Saskatchewan."

An initiative of the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP), the 24-unit project received $650,000 in funding from the Government of Canada, $520,000 in funding from the Government of Saskatchewan and an additional $130,000 from the City of Saskatoon.

The renovated building offers quality, affordable rental units, 23 two-bedroom suites and a single one-bedroom suite for Saskatoon families and vulnerable individuals. The project is located near schools, services and amenities, with rents ranging from $395 to $465 per month.

"This grand opening is the start of something very positive for these 24 families," Mayor Donald Atchison said. "Through our Affordable Housing Program and great partnerships, homes like this are possible which make a difference in the lives of our residents and the communities in which they live."

The project involved the purchase and renovation of an existing apartment building in Pleasant Hill, an inner-city neighbourhood of Saskatoon. The renovated building will be managed by the Saskatoon Housing Authority, which currently manages more than 2,500 affordable rental units in Saskatoon, enabling low- to moderate-income seniors, families and individuals to achieve or maintain independence.

CAHP is funded under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Agreement. It provides approximately $33 million in federal funding for affordable housing, which is matched by the province of Saskatchewan, municipalities and other partners. With these matching contributions, a total of more than $66 million will be committed by 2007-08 for affordable housing.

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For more information, contact:

Trudy Jackson
Community Resources
Regina
Cell: 306-537-2879

Alan Wallace
City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-2650

Kimberlee Jones
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 306-975-2650