$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, including $250,000 for the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre.

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 Saskatoon, $17 million will support a partnership with Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Technology, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, the Dumont Technical Institute and the Saskatoon Public School Division for the development of an integrated training facility at Mount Royal Collegiate.  This facility represents a new approach within the K-12 and post-secondary systems, with a focus on helping inner city youth transition from school into post-secondary training and into the jobs available in Saskatchewan’s booming economy.

Eight million dollars will be invested in improved health and community services for Saskatoon inner city residents.  A recent study indicated that residents of low socio-economic status neighbourhoods have comparatively poor health.  This funding will help improve access to health and community services by supporting projects such as “Station 20 West”, a partnership for the development of community programs that promote health and well being.  Services may include immunization, substance abuse counselling, dental care and healthy baby programs.

Details for inner city Regina will be announced at an event in Regina at 2:30 p.m.

“Saskatchewan’s strong economy and increased revenue means we can afford to make significant investments where we know the need is great,” Calvert said.  “Caring communities, safe and 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