PROVINCE AND WHITECAP DAKOTA FIRST NATION OPEN NEW RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT

Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude today officially opened Buffalo Berry Place, a new $2.4 million, 12-unit rental housing development that will accommodate people employed on Whitecap Dakota First Nation (Whitecap). The province, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), contributed $1.7 million toward the construction of the apartment building.

This provincially supported on-reserve affordable housing project is the first of its kind known in Saskatchewan.

"Saskatchewan people should have a choice in determining where and how they live," Draude said. "The best solutions are created through local responses to local needs, and I am proud that Buffalo Berry Place is an example of this concept in action. We are honoured to work closely with Whitecap Dakota First Nation to bring this project forward and, most importantly, meet the housing needs of First Nations and Métis people."

"For the first time in Saskatchewan history, the province and a First Nation have worked in partnership to invest in on-reserve housing," Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear said. "There are approximately 670 employees in Whitecap and close to 500 of these employees commute to our First Nation daily. After surveying these employees, we identified that affordable housing was a high priority, and this project addresses this immediate and identifiable need."

Buffalo Berry Place is a 12-suite apartment building consisting of one- and two-bedroom units for families, singles and couples, as well as one unit that is fully wheelchair accessible.

SHC continues to work with the not-for-profit sector to develop new housing opportunities for First Nations people in Saskatchewan. Since November 2007, 177 affordable rental units have been completed and 88 rental units are under construction for First Nations people. In addition, 147 units are complete or under construction in northern Saskatchewan, where clients are predominantly Aboriginal.

Whitecap's many development projects currently employ more than 600 people. As all existing on-reserve housing is designated for Whitecap members, there is not enough housing capacity for the many employees who have been forced to rent housing in Saskatoon and commute to Whitecap to work. The project will therefore improve the availability of housing stock for Whitecap employees, reduce the demand on existing rental housing in Saskatoon, and reduce traffic on the Chief Whitecap Trail development corridor.

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For more information, contact:

Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916 Chief Darcy Bear
Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Phone: 306-477-0908