CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN OFFICIALLY OPEN NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SASKATOON

The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan today officially opened 18 new units of affordable rental housing for families in Saskatoon.

The announcement was made today by Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Don Morgan, Saskatchewan Minister of Justice, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC).

"These three projects will help meet our community's goal of safe and affordable housing for all our residents, and our government is proud to have contributed to this achievement," said MP Block. "Year 2 of Canada's Economic Action Plan is allowing us to put more funding into places like these ones, to ensure that Canadians can continue to live independently in the communities they call home."

"The addition of these housing units will help meet the need for safe, quality and affordable housing for Saskatoon families," Minister Morgan said. "Our government is pleased to work with the federal government and community partners to create new affordable housing opportunities across the province, and to respond to the evolving housing needs of Saskatchewan people."

Two affordable housing projects officially opened in Saskatoon. The first project, undertaken in partnership with Cress Housing Corporation, consists of 10 units (including four two-bedroom and six three-bedroom units). Together, CMHC and SHC contributed approximately $1.7 million to the project under the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI). Additional funding was provided by the project sponsor through mortgage financing and sponsor contributions. A land contribution was also provided by the City of Saskatoon.

The second project will have eight units (one three-bedroom and seven two-bedroom units) and was developed by Quint Development Corporation, with approximately $1.2 million in AHI funding provided by CMHC and SHC. The remaining funding was raised by the project sponsor through equity and mortgage financing, and a land contribution from the City of Saskatoon.

In addition to the official opening of these projects, the federal and provincial governments also announced AHI funding of $1.5 million for the acquisition and renovation of an 11-unit apartment building by the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). This third project also benefited from additional funding through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, a federal program delivered through the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development.

AHI funding was made available as a result of a joint investment under the amended Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which includes funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan and by the Government of Saskatchewan. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment.

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

The amendment to the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which included funding under Canada's Economic Action Plan, signed in May 2009, brought federal housing support of $74 million to the province. The Government of Saskatchewan will match that commitment for a total of $148 million to assist those in housing need and, in collaboration with other levels of government and community partners, to make various types of affordable housing programs possible. In Saskatchewan, federal-provincial housing programs are delivered through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

More information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Megan Markin
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Phone: 403-515-2962

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246

Michelle Bakos
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482