GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN PRINCE ALBERT

MP Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Prince Albert-Carlton MLA Darryl Hickie, on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer and Prince Albert Mayor Jim Scarrow today announced support for a local housing initiative for persons with disabilities.

Funding in the amount of $679,500 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. Other funding includes $400,000 from the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and $54,500 from the City of Prince Albert.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is helping Canadians during these tough economic times," said Hoback. "Here in Prince Albert, this achievement gives a hand-up to low-income youth who need safe, affordable housing that meets their needs. This is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly."

"Our government is pleased to help provide safe, affordable housing for at-risk youth in the community of Prince Albert," Hickie said. "This aligns with our vision of putting vulnerable people first and helping them build better lives for themselves. Affordable housing is a key component of that."

"Affordable housing is a community matter and this project is another example that, by working together, we can respond to the needs of individuals and families who are most vulnerable, by providing safe, secure and affordable housing for all," Scarrow said. "This project will provide these individuals with a home for a successful transition to living independently. Together we can build a greater city and province."

Persons with disabilities often have difficulty finding housing that meets their specific needs. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $75 million over two years to build new rental housing for persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

The eight-plex, located at 74-18th Street West in Prince Albert, will provide safe, affordable housing for very low-income youth with mental health and cognitive disabilities. Four of the units will be for those who are also homeless or at risk of homelessness. The residence is located within walking distance of the downtown core and a local drop-in centre, The Nest, which provides meals and programs that address independent living skills and employment initiatives.

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next 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 will match 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.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a community-based program that provides funding to communities across Canada for projects that prevent and reduce homelessness. The HPS emphasizes longer-term supportive and transitional housing by focusing on a housing-first approach to help people make the transition out of the cycle of homelessness.

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:

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

Megan Markin
CMHC
Calgary
Phone: 403-515-2962

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

Chris Cvik
City of Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-4312