GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN LLOYDMINSTER

Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Crown Investments Corporation Minister Tim McMillan 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 $1.77 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.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is taking concrete action to help ensure economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth," said Benoit. "Funding projects like Lloydminster Métis Housing Group Inc.'s will not only improve the overall housing conditions for seniors in Lloydminster, but also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs."

"There is a great need for this type of housing, and I am very excited that this initiative will bring 10 more rental units to Lloydminster's landscape," McMillan said. "We are very pleased to work with the Government of Canada and the Lloydminster Métis Housing Group Inc. to provide more housing options for Saskatchewan seniors. There is no question that this development is a fine example of our shared commitment to putting people first, and helping them to secure their futures through affordable housing."

This project, designed to accommodate 10 low-income senior Métis households, consists of eight two-bedroom and two one-bedroom single storey units. The provincial and federal governments are contributing $1.77 million to the housing project, which is being developed by the Lloydminster Métis Housing Group Inc. (LMHG). Incorporated in 1977, LMHG is an active non-profit corporation which owns and manages 121 single-family dwellings in Lloydminster. Working with other levels of government and the private and not-for-profit sectors, the province has completed 294 affordable rental seniors units since 2007 throughout Saskatchewan, with an additional 115 currently under construction.

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 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Saskatchewan, this represents some 29,900 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.

Since March 2011, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed $344 million to housing initiatives. It is expected that these investments will result in more than 12,600 new and rejuvenated units. This includes the newly announced Corporate Income Tax Rebate on New Rental Housing - an estimated $34 million for the first five years. Along with the Rental Construction Incentive, the rebate will create up to 10,000 new rental units, a 29 per cent increase in the primary rental market in Saskatchewan.

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

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

Marian Ngo
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482