MINISTER ACCEPTS REPORT FROM TASK FORCE ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer today accepted a report from the Task Force on Housing Affordability, which outlines several recommendations about how to improve the affordability of housing within the province.

The report, prepared by Ted Merriman and Bob Pringle, is the result of consultations with residents of 16 Saskatchewan communities. In total, 85 individuals, groups and organizations were consulted and 53 written submissions were received.

Titled "Affordable Housing: An Investment", the report was presented to Harpauer at the Saskatoon Cabinet Office this afternoon.

"Access to affordable housing is a real challenge for many Saskatchewan families and individuals," Harpauer said. "I look forward to studying the report, as it will give us a better understanding about Saskatchewan's affordable housing situation and how, we as a government, can move forward to ensure we are doing everything we can to make sure affordable housing is available to those who need it."

The Task Force spent more than two months meeting with stakeholders across the province after it was set up by Harpauer and the government on March 18, 2008.

"It's been a great experience travelling the province and listening to people present solutions to the affordable housing challenge in Saskatchewan," Pringle said.

"We hope this report provides some guidance for Minister Harpauer and the provincial government with respect to the housing challenge," Merriman said.

The report includes the following recommendations:

• Increase the shelter allowance for social assistance recipients and the Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement and index each to the cost of living;
• Introduce new provincial tax incentives designed to stimulate the supply of affordable housing such as, but not limited to, eliminating the PST on building materials specifically used to build affordable housing;
• Amend the Residential Tenancies Act to require landlords to provide six months notice prior to a rent increase on month-to-month rental accommodations;
• Undertake measures to strengthen the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation to ensure it better represents and addresses the affordable housing needs in communities;
• Increase the number of emergency shelters and transitional spaces in the province; and
• Enhance partnerships with community based and First Nations and Métis organizations to create integrated place-based housing solutions as part of broader community revitalization efforts.

"I'd like to thank the members of the Task Force on Housing Affordability for this report today and also would like to thank all the individuals, groups and organizations that presented solutions to the Task Force," Harpauer said, adding she will review the report and provide an initial response in the coming weeks.

To view a copy of the Task Force report please visit http://www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca/housing-task-force/.

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For more information, contact:

Neal Pobran
Executive Council
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-933-8297
Email: neal.pobran@gov.sk.ca