SENIORS’ AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT OPENS IN PINEHOUSE

A new rental housing project for low to moderate-income seniors officially opened today in Pinehouse, thanks to a $300,000 funding commitment from the federal and provincial governments. The project is owned and operated by the Village of Pinehouse, and will increase the availability of affordable and stable seniors' housing in the community.

"The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Saskatchewan and across Canada for those who need it most," said Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "This project will help seniors' access safe and suitable housing, and build a stronger future for themselves."

"Our government is committed to working with our partners to ensure that Saskatchewan seniors have a safe, affordable place to call home," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson said on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer. "This project fills a clear need in Pinehouse and helps further our goal to build brighter futures for all Saskatchewan citizens."

The project, which was undertaken by the Northern Village of Pinehouse, consists of four two-bedroom single detached units. It includes "green" features such as the use of renewable energy for heating and increased insulation. The project also provided an opportunity for some local individuals to obtain trades training and work experience.

The federal and provincial government provided a total of $300,000 in funding assistance toward the total cost of $425,000. The province, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, contributed its funding through the Affordable Housing Trust.

In Saskatchewan, the amendment to the Canada-Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, signed in May 2009, brought $14.54 million federal housing funding to Saskatchewan Housing Corporation for new housing development, in addition to other federal contributions to Saskatchewan housing programs, for a total of $66 million. The Government of Saskatchewan will match that commitment for a total of $132 million to go to Saskatchewan housing projects by 2011.

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 and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

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.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Kimberlee Jones
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-3048

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

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