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

Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, 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 Biggar MLA Randy Weekes 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 in the amount 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.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $400 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

"Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is providing a hand-up to those who need it most in all corners of the country," said Ritz. "We are committed to making communities stronger through projects like this one. This investment is creating new jobs and stimulating the North Battleford economy, while at the same time providing more access to safe, affordable homes for Canadian seniors."

"We are pleased to partner with the federal government to provide $1.5 million toward this project," Weekes said. "Our government will continue to make housing a priority and deliver programs that respond to a range of needs across Saskatchewan. This 20-unit project is an example of our commitment to seniors in North Battleford, and will help meet the community's need for additional housing."

The project involves the construction of 20 two-bedroom units for low-income seniors,each approximately 750 square feet with detached garages. The units will be contained in five four-plexes, built on adjoining lots on the 900 block of 104th Street. The first four-plex is complete. It is anticipated construction will commence on the remaining four-plexes in late January/early February 2011. The estimated date of completion is October 2011.

"We certainly value the contribution of the federal and provincial governments toward a project such as this and the confidence of the developer to invest in the North Battleford market," North Battleford Mayor Ian Hamilton said. "This development will help address a shortage of affordable senior housing in North Battleford."

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

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

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

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