New rental housing for individuals and families in Saskatoon

SASKATOON, June 25, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with the City of Saskatoon and Quint Development Corporation (Quint), officially opened a new 26-unit rental housing project for individuals and families who have complex needs and are unable to secure and maintain housing without supports.

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 the Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of the City of Saskatoon, and Joy Crawford, Chair of Quint Development Corporation's Board of Directors, made the announcement today.

Quotes:

"Our Government is investing in affordable rental housing here in Saskatoon and across the country to create jobs and improve the quality of life for vulnerable Canadians. Most units in this development are intended for large families, which is urgently needed in the neighbourhood. Though construction projects just like this one, over the next 10 years the National Housing Strategy aims to lift 530,000 families out of housing need. Today we're seeing results that make a real difference in the community." ? Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness 

"Our government is pleased to help support "hard-to-house" families and individuals in Saskatchewan. These homes will provide housing stability for the tenants, along with the supports they require to move forward with their lives. We are pleased to work with our partners to continue to keep Saskatchewan strong and on track." ? Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"An investment in housing is an investment in the future success of our community. A safe and secure home is of vital importance for a strong quality of life, and the opening of this facility today is a life-changing milestone for 26 people and families. It helps to create a community where all people can find success. I would like to thank Quint Development Corporation and the federal and provincial governments for helping to bring this important project to life in Saskatoon." ? His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor, City of Saskatoon

"Quint's Affordable Housing Program is expanding in order to meet the pressing need for family sized safe and affordable rental housing in Saskatoon. In addition, this infill development will significantly improve the aging housing stock and strengthen and revitalize this neighbourhood in Pleasant Hill. It is very gratifying hearing the excitement and anticipation of the families as they get the keys to their new homes. Quint is thankful to all of our partners in this project who have helped us respond to this pressing need in the City." ? Joy Crawford, Chair, Quint Development Corporation Board of Directors

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada, through CMHC, and the Government of Saskatchewan, through SHC, jointly contributed approximately $3.19 million to the project through the Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2014-2019 Agreement.
• City of Saskatoon contributed $557,000 in funding plus additional incentives towards the project. Quint provided about $1.7 million in the form of cash equity and mortgage financing.
• Named Oski M?cipayin (meaning "New Beginning" in Plains Cree language), the project consists of 26 new townhouse units?8 one-bedroom units (493 ft² or 45.8 m²), 10 three-bedroom units (1,064 ft² or 98.84 m²), 6 four-bedroom units (1,475 ft² or 137.03 m²) and 2 four-bedroom accessible units (1,912 ft² or 177.63 m²) in the core neighbourhood of Pleasant Hill, and is located at 1409 21^st Street West in Saskatoon.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS)?an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.
• This investment supports the Province's Housing Strategy and Poverty Reduction Strategy by ensuring Saskatchewan people in greatest need have access to affordable, safe, secure and stable housing.
• Established in 1995, Quint is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the economic and social well-being of Saskatoon's west side core neighbourhoods. Quint has provided affordable housing and employment services, and economic development to residents of these neighbourhoods. Quint owns and operates 94 affordable housing units and also provides additional services through their Eviction Prevention Program, which focuses on stabilizing low-income families.

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