$100 MILLION PLAN TO REVITALIZE SASKATCHEWAN NEIGHBOURHOODS

Premier Lorne Calvert today announced a $100 million plan to revitalize Saskatchewan neighbourhoods with the greatest need.

The plan includes $60 million to provide the single, largest expansion of HomeFirst for affordable housing for families in northern communities and the inner cities of Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford.  A further $40 million will support inner city initiatives in Regina and Saskatoon targeted at education and skills training and the development of healthy, vibrant neighbourhoods.

“My government is committed to making life better for Saskatchewan people by promoting caring neighbourhoods and by providing better access to education and skills training,” Calvert said.  “This investment will help build the necessary foundation to ensure the well-being of our families and communities.  As a result, many dreams will come true.”

The expansion of HomeFirst, the government’s five-year housing strategy, more than doubles the recently announced $50.6 million in federal housing trust funds for affordable and off-reserve aboriginal housing in the province.  Together, federal and provincial funding represents more than $110 million in new housing dollars for the people of Saskatchewan.

The Premier also announced an additional $500,000 from the Department of Community Resources in one-time funding to support food banks across the province.

The $60 million for affordable housing will be targeted at northern communities and the inner cities of Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford.  It will be allocated as follows:  

• $49.5 million for approximately 500 affordable rental and homeownership units for low to moderate income families and youth at risk;
• $10 million for ongoing rent subsidies for 300 very low income families and youth at risk; and
• $500,000 to support a training component aimed at increasing participation among inner city and northern youth in housing construction and repair projects.  The training component will complement other provincial efforts to attract youth to the home building and repair sector where there is an increasing shortage of skilled trades-people.   

In addition to the $60 million for housing, the plan includes a $40 million capital investment to be shared between Saskatoon and Regina to support inner city revitalization through the development of training facilities and community services centres.

“We are going beyond shelter,” Calvert said.  “We’ve heard from Saskatchewan people, including from our young people at the recent Youth Summit in Saskatoon, who said we need to focus on neighbourhoods and accessible education.  This plan builds toward that goal.”

In Regina, $15 million will be targeted at two initiatives.  The Regina inner city trades and skills centre, a partnership with Regina Public and Catholic school boards, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), the Dumont Technical Institute and industry representatives such as the Saskatchewan Construction Association, will develop a new approach, in consultation with the community, to better engage youth in learning and the labour market.  The second initiative will be a North Central community services centre aimed at improving services to the inner city and linked to the future revitalization of Scott Collegiate.  Planning for the centre is underway and includes the provincial, federal and municipal governments, Regina Qu'Appelle Regional Health Authority, North Central Community Association, Regina Public School Board, Regina Police Service and community-based organizations.

As announced earlier today, investments in Saskatoon include $8 million to support projects such as the “Station 20 West” concept in Saskatoon, a partnership for the development of community programs that will help promote well-being for inner city residents.  $17 million will be used to support a partnership with SIAST, SIIT and the Saskatoon Public School Division for the development of an integrated training facility at Mount Royal Collegiate.

The Mount Royal facility and the Regina inner city trades and skills centre represent a new approach within the K-12 and post-secondary systems, with a focus on engaging Saskatoon and Regina inner city youth in school, and fast-tracking them into jobs available in Saskatchewan’s booming economy.

“Saskatchewan’s strong economy and increased revenue means we can afford to make significant investments where we know the need is great,” Premier Calvert said.  “Caring communities, safe, affordable housing, and access to education and training all have a tremendous effect on the well-being of our youth, our families and our communities.  We want to support our inner cities through a revitalization that will see both immediate benefits and important opportunities for years to come.”  

This $100 million investment is one-time third quarter funding.  Further details on the Province’s finances will be announced in the upcoming Third Quarter Report.

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For more information, contact:

Linda Saliken
Community Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246
Email: lsaliken@dcre.gov.sk.ca