GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN NORTH BATTLEFORD

Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board and Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Cut Knife-Turtleford MLA Larry Doke, on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude today announced support for a local housing initiative for seniors.

Funding of $1.5 million 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.

"Our government is dedicated to helping those in need in Saskatchewan through these tough economic times," said Ritz. "By supporting this new facility, we are helping to provide affordable seniors' housing, while also creating employment and economic growth in the region."

"Our government continues to work with the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors to develop new housing opportunities in the Battlefords," Doke said. "Since November 2007, 123 affordable units have been completed, including 20 units for seniors. This project is aligned with a number of strategic priorities that were outlined in the Provincial Housing Strategy; the need to increase housing supply, to improve housing affordability and to support individuals and families in greatest housing need."

The project consists of the construction of 20 two-bedroom units, approximately 750 square feet each, with detached garages, for rent to seniors of moderate-income. The units are contained in five four-plexes built on adjoining lots on the 900 block of 104th Street in North Battleford. The project was undertaken by Battle Valley Enterprises (BVE), a private enterprise company interested in the development of multi-residential real estate in the Battlefords.

"This assists in addressing a demand for seniors housing in North Battleford," City of North Battleford Mayor Ian Hamilton said. "Through the rental development incentive policy, the city is supportive through tax exemptions and incentive grants."

"Projects that support quality affordable housing in this community rely on key partnerships to be successful," Battle Valley Enterprises President Carl Jackson said. "This project saw three levels of government working together with private enterprise to effectively bring this vision into reality. This excellent project will serve the needs of the seniors of the Battlefords for many years to come. We are very proud to have been involved in the delivery of this first-rate project. We hope the success of this project leads to many more opportunities for government and private enterprise to partner in delivering positive results like this for the community."

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 615,000 households living in existing social housing. In Saskatchewan, this represents some 32,600 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

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-schl.gc.ca.

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For more information, contact:

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

Alyson Queen
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482

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