Affordable rental housing project opens in Saskatoon

SASKATOON, May 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan along with Stewart Properties officially opened Star Court, a newly renovated 16-unit rental housing project that will help support low- to moderate-income households where an individual lives with disabilities.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), and Tyler Stewart, President of Stewart Properties, made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• The federal and provincial governments, through CMHC and SHC, jointly contributed $368,000 towards the project through the Canada-Saskatchewan Social Infrastructure Fund Agreement.
• Located at 708 Avenue R North, the project consists of 16 bachelor units that are approximately 320 ft² in size. All 16 units are accessible for persons experiencing a disability.
• Completed renovations include walkways without abrupt changes in height, wheelchair accessible kitchen cabinets, electrical accessibility modification, bathroom accessibility modifications (accessible showers, wall mounted sinks, high lift toilets, lever taps, grab bars), fire protection sprinkler system, 36" accessible building entrance and fire rated suite doors, flooring, intercom system and exterior security lighting, interior fire alarm and emergency light system upgrades.   
• This investment supports Saskatchewan's Provincial Housing Strategy and Disability Strategy. These priorities include the need to increase housing supply, to improve housing affordability and to support individuals and families in greatest housing need.

Quotes:

"These newly renovated units play a foundational role in the positive quality of life for residents. Having access to safe, affordable housing along with purpose-built, accessible design features goes a long way to helping people achieve and maintain their independence. We are proud to invest in projects like this that have such a profound impact on lives. ? Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

"We are pleased to help provide safe, quality homes that are accessible and affordable for persons experiencing a disability. Together with our partners, the Government of Canada and Stewart Properties, we are improving the quality of life of Saskatchewan citizens. Star Court is another wonderful example of people caring about making life better for individuals and families for years to come." ? Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"As an affordable housing provider, it has been very apparent of the immense need for not just affordable, but accessible housing. We are extremely pleased to be able to now offer a solution with Star Court. It's a wonderful property and the immediate, positive results speak for themselves. We are grateful for a dedicated team who helped bring this initiative to fruition, along with the provincial and federal governments for their contribution. We are already looking forward to more opportunities in affordable and accessible housing." ? Tyler Stewart, President, Stewart Properties

Associated links:

• 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 all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or follow us 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 more than $770 million to develop or repair almost 16,000 housing units across our province. To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation