GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN YORKTON

Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with MLA for Yorkton Greg Ottenbreit, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, today announced support for a local housing initiative for seniors.

Funding in the amount of $2.4 million has been made available for the initiative through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $132 million under the amended Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

"Our government is committed to supporting Canadian seniors, who have spent their lives making cities like Yorkton into what they are today," said MP Breitkreuz. "Providing safe, affordable housing is an important part of that commitment. We're proud to have provided more than $1.5 million for this project through the stimulus phase of the Economic Action Plan."

"This project is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when governments and the private and not-for-profit sectors share a common vision," MLA Ottenbreit said. "We must continue to work together to support Saskatchewan's growing population and ensure that housing is accessible to all people. This funding demonstrates our government's commitment to help enhance the quality of homes and make housing more affordable for seniors in this community."

The provincial and federal governments are contributing $2.4 million to the housing project, which is being developed by the Yorkton Housing Corporation (YHC) for seniors of low-income. The project, named Allan Bay Manor, consists of 22 one-bedroom units near a hospital and other services including a pharmacy and medical clinic. YHC is a non-profit organization formed in 1959 by the City of Yorkton to administer subsidized housing units in Yorkton and currently owns and/or manages a total of 110 residential units for families and seniors.

"This 22-unit project is very welcome within the City of Yorkton and will provide much needed affordable housing for our seniors and reduce our current waiting list of 50 plus tenants," Chair of Yorkton Housing Corporation Les Arnelian said. "We thank our federal and provincial governments for providing funds for this project."

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

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 is matching 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 this and other measures in 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.


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For more information, contact:

Ana Curic
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482

Kimberlee Jones
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Calgary
Phone: 403-515-3048
Email: kjones@cmhc.ca

Linda Saliken
Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246
Email: linda.saliken@gov.sk.ca