NORTHERN COMMUNITIES BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Seven communities in northern Saskatchewan are building a total of 46 units of affordable housing with the help of more than $2.1 million in federal and provincial funding from the Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP).

The projects are located in the communities of Beauval, Green Lake, Buffalo Narrows, Pinehouse, Stony Rapids, Creighton and La Loche. Three of the projects (Stony Rapids, Creighton and La Loche) are creating 36 units of affordable rental housing, while the other four projects are building single homeowner units. Total costs for the seven projects are estimated to come to over $4.4 million.

"The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadians in all corners of the country," noted Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, on behalf of Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. "These 46 new households demonstrate the remarkable relationship we have with our partners, and our desire to help create affordable housing opportunities in these northern Saskatchewan communities."

"Our HomeFirst strategy is all about helping people find a place to call home so they can open the door to independence," Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said. "Projects like these in our northern communities contribute to the health and well-being of our residents and help them participate in the social and economic life of the province."

These projects are part of the Centenary Affordable Housing Program, an intergovernmental initiative to increase the supply of affordable off-reserve housing in Saskatchewan. The program is funded by CMHC, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and local municipalities. CAHP provides $33 million in federal funding for affordable housing, matched by Saskatchewan, municipalities and other parties. With these matching contributions, a total of $66 million will be allocated by 2007/08 for affordable housing.

In addition to CAHP funding, the La Loche project has also received $1.35 million over two years from the federal government through the National Homelessness Initiative.

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For More Information, Contact:

Greg Urbanoski Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-4011

Jason Cobb Canada Mortgage and Housing Calgary Phone: (403) 515-2903