AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OPENS IN WILKIE

Affordable rental housing at two Wilkie Independent Living Services (WILS) group homes officially opened today in Wilkie. The basement suites will help people with intellectual disabilities to live more independently and to have access to occasional living supports.

"This project and others like it demonstrate our government's ongoing commitment to helping people with disabilities to build independence," Biggar MLA Randy Weekes said on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer. "We are pleased to work with Wilkie Independent Living Services to help people with intellectual disabilities to get the housing they need, and to provide opportunities for them to become more involved in their community."

"This project has been in the making for several years now, and we are very excited to expand our services to provide affordable housing for the people that we serve," WILS Chair Gordon Martin said. "We would like to thank Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the Ministry of Social Services and the Town of Wilkie for their support. Without them, this project would not have come to fruition."

The total project cost is $326,000. Of that amount, $147,000 was provided by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation through the Rental Development Program. An additional $85,000 was provided by the Ministry of Social Services to support the residential needs of people with intellectual disabilities. This funding is part of the province's four-year, $76.9 million commitment to eliminate the waitlist of 440 people with intellectual disabilities across Saskatchewan who require residential, day and specialized programs that meet their assessed needs.

The remaining funds required for this project were provided by WILS in the form of in-kind work and mortgage financing.

The project will provide two two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit, accommodating a total of five people with intellectual disabilities to live with enhanced dignity and security.

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For more information, contact:

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