New Affordable Housing Project Underway for At-Risk Families in Regina

REGINA, Aug. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with the City of Regina and Gabriel Housing Corporation (Gabriel), officially broke ground for a new 12-unit rental housing project for single parents who require supports in order to secure and maintain housing.

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with MLA Muhammad Fiaz, on behalf the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Acting Minister of Social Services and Acting Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), His Worship Michael Fougere, Mayor of the City of Regina, and Doug Moran, Chief Executive Officer of Gabriel Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• This project consists of six one-bedroom (480 square feet or 44.59 square metres) and six two-bedroom units (680 square feet or 63.17 square metres) in a four-level apartment building (first floor is parking and mechanical) on land owned by Gabriel at 3876 Rae Street. All units are accessible by elevator.
• The federal and provincial governments, through CMHC and SHC, are jointly contributing up to $1.63 million towards the project under the Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2014-2019 agreement.
• City of Regina will provide $240,000 in funding plus additional incentives towards the project. Gabriel is contributing about $1.1 million in the form of cash/land equity and mortgage financing.
• Gabriel is a non-profit organization established in 1981 to help improve housing and employment opportunities for Métis people in Regina. Gabriel owns and operates over 300 social and affordable housing units in Regina.
• Gabriel will be leasing the building to Aboriginal Family Services (AFS) who will provide the tenants and support services.
• This investment supports Saskatchewan's Poverty Reduction Strategy goal of ensuring Saskatchewan people have access to affordable, safe, secure and stable housing.

Quotes:

"Our Government is working hard to provide Canadians with safe and affordable housing, which is the foundation of strong, productive communities. We are proud to support the creation of these new affordable rental housing units which will help improve the well-being of single parent families here in Regina." ? Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"These homes will enable single parent tenants and their children to live in a safe and stable environment. Our government is pleased to have a role in making this project a reality, and to work with our partners to help Saskatchewan people in greatest housing need. This initiative, and others throughout the province, furthers our plan to keep Saskatchewan strong." ? Honourable Donna Harpauer, Acting Minister of Social Services and Acting Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"The City of Regina is proud to be able to assist in the construction of this project. City Council has housing incentives that help provide housing for those most in need, and Gabriel Housing has an incredible history in these partnerships. These supportive housing units are absolutely crucial in ensuring all our citizens can stay in their own home, be productive and thrive." ? His Worship Michael Fougere, Mayor, City of Regina

"Gabriel Housing Corporation and the Board of Directors are very pleased that our partners ? Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and the City of Regina ? are assisting us in reaching our goal of providing safe, healthy and affordable housing units to Aboriginal families. Through our partnership with Aboriginal Family Services Centre, the new units will enable Gabriel Housing Corporation to provide the necessary support services to the families so that they can maintain a healthy lifestyle and home for their families." ? Doug Moran, Chief Executive Officer, Gabriel Housing Corporation

Associated links:

• CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need and offers unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of CMHC's operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca or follow CMHC on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• In October 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan released the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: Vision 2020 and Beyond, which sets out the Government's vision for a province of 1.2 million people by 2020. The plan identifies principles, goals and actions to ensure Saskatchewan is capturing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of a growing province. Since 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested over $750 million to develop or repair more than 15,500 housing units across our province.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation