$6.4 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN REGINA

The federal and provincial governments today announced funding details on the first of six projects to be built in Regina under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Agreement. A total of $6.4 million will be allocated to the six projects, worth $19 million.

Two of the six projects will be managed by the South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre (SSILC) and the Regina YWCA and will provide affordable, accessible housing for Regina residents. Details on the remaining four projects will be announced in the future.

The two projects announced today will receive $3.2 million in federal-provincial funding. This includes $1.1 million under the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP), and $1.5 million under the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP). The projects also involved private financing and donations.

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Works and Government Services on behalf of the Honourable Steven Mahoney, Secretary of State responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), said he was pleased that the partnership was helping lower-income single women and persons with disabilities. "Projects such as the South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre and the Regina YWCA are exactly what we need to ensure lower-income residents get access to quality affordable housing."

"These two projects provide an example of governments and communities coming together toward a wide open future with quality and accessible housing for people with disabilities, and women and their children," Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment Minister Glenn Hagel said. "Both projects are part of our government's plan to create accessible and affordable housing options for people with disabilities as recommended by the Saskatchewan Council on Disability Issues."

"Providing affordable housing is a priority for the City. I am pleased that the three levels of government are working together to solve very real problems in this community. I look forward to further projects which address the need to provide affordable, quality housing, particularly for inner city and special needs groups," City of Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said.

The SSILC renovation project, valued at $4.9 million, will create 32 accessible residential units for persons with disabilities in a vacant office building located at 2240 Albert Street. SSILC will receive a total $1.7 million in Canada-Saskatchewan funding - $700,000 from CAHP and over $1 million from RRAP programs. The City of Regina helped facilitate the project by providing the building and abating taxes and utilities on that building. City Council also provided a five-year tax exemption under the Inner City Housing Stimulation Strategy as its contribution under CAHP.

The YWCA project valued at $2 million, is targeted to single women and will add 19 new accessible resident units and refurbish 43 existing units at its McIntryre Street location. The YWCA will receive a total $1.5 million in Canada-Saskatchewan funding - $355,000 in funding from CAHP, $492,000 from RRAP programs, $342,000 from the Shelter Enhancement Program and $350,000 from the Supportive Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI).

CAHP is funded under the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement. It provides $22.93 million in federal funding for affordable housing, matched by Saskatchewan and other parties including municipalities. With these matching contributions, a total of $45.9 million, over five years, will be available to build 1,500 new units of affordable housing in Saskatchewan.

RRAP is intended to bring housing, occupied by lower-income persons, to a minimum standard of health and safety. The Shelter Enhancement Program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women, children and youth who are victims of family violence; and in acquiring or building new shelters and second-stage housing where needed. RRAP and SEP are cost-shared on at 75/25 basis between the federal and provincial governments.

The Government of Canada National homeless Initiative is making a difference through the SCPI by encouraging the development of flexible, community driven solutions to help alleviate homelessness.

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For More Information, Contact:

Herman Hulshof Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306)787-0916 Email: hhulshof@dcre.gov.sk.ca Cell: (306)536-1479	Sophie Dupuis Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Calgary Phone: (403)515-2986
Shannon McArton Public Affairs Officer, City of Regina Regina Phone: (306)777-6803