GOVERNMENT HELPS BUILD 20 HOMES FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $1 million to help Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan affiliates build safe, affordable, quality homes for 20 lower-income families in select communities across the province. This funding is in addition to $1 million for Habitat that was committed to build 20 homes on March 30, 2009.

"Our government is proud to support Habitat for Humanity's efforts to make homeownership a reality for Saskatchewan families in need," Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer said. "Available, affordable housing is key to helping Saskatchewan people build better lives for themselves through economic independence, strong families and active involvement in the labour market and community."

"This announcement has energized our whole organization and remarkably increased our capacity to deliver affordable homeownership to an unprecedented and sustainable level," Habitat for Humanity Regina Inc. CEO Dennis Coutts said. "Together, we are providing our partner families with a future that has an immediate impact and benefit to them, but also for generations to come. On behalf of Habitat Saskatchewan, we thank the province for its support."

Habitat for Humanity is a province-wide organization with representation in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Lloydminister, Yorkton and Moose Jaw. Partner families that qualify to participate in Habitat's program have annual incomes that are less than $52,000. Each partner family invests hundreds of hours of their own labour, or "sweat equity", into the building of their own home, producing pride of homeownership from the outset.

In addition to this funding, the province is establishing a new program in the upcoming year to help eligible low-income families purchase their own home.

The Habitat initiative will be funded through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, an agency of the Ministry of Social Services.

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For more information, contact:

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