Federal and provincial governments kick off innovative seniors housing project in Humboldt

HUMBOLDT, SK, March 23, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan are working together to deliver more affordable housing solutions for households in greatest need with a combined investment of over $1 million to repurpose the 28,000 ft² St. Elizabeth's convent in Humboldt.

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), made the funding announcement today.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to helping seniors in Humboldt and throughout the country. Together with partners from the province, we listened to the needs of the community and earmarked funding to kick-start this innovative project. Initiatives like this create jobs and help stimulate local economies, all while giving seniors more access to safe, affordable housing options close to their families and friends." ? Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness 

"We continue to work with our partners to help Saskatchewan people in greatest housing need. I am pleased that the Elizabeth will allow seniors to live safely and comfortably in Humboldt, in homes that meets their needs. The repurposing of the Elizabeth is also a creative way to use existing space to meet a real need in the community." ? Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for SHC

"The City of Humboldt has been looking forward to this project since we purchased the convent property from the Elizabethan Sisters. The new owners, The Elizabeth Retirement Community, will provide much needed affordable senior housing to a number of residents from Humboldt and area. I would like to personally thank the federal and provincial governments for their contribution, the developers Stewart Property Holdings, and all of the hard working volunteers who have made this project come to life. This is one more positive addition to our city, making it an even better place to live." ? His Worship Rob Muench, Mayor, City of Humboldt

"The Elizabeth revitalization project is a wonderful example of how an impassioned group of individuals can come together and undertake and carry out a seemingly impossible and monumental vision. It's not just rejuvenating a building, it's rejuvenating true community spirit where everyone looks out for each other. As an organization dedicated and committed to affordable housing, we are honoured to be filling this need in the community, in a creative way." ? Tyler Stewart, President, Stewart Properties

Quick Facts

• The federal and provincial governments, through CMHC and SHC, are jointly contributing over $1 million for 26 affordable housing units under the Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2014-2019 Agreement.
  
• The Elizabeth ? Retirement Community project involves repurposing the existing 28,0000 ft² convent. Located at 1212 12^th Avenue in Humboldt, it will consist of 25 affordable independent-living apartments (three studio and twenty two one-bedroom units), an additional market one-bedroom independent-living unit and 11 market assisted-living units.
  
• The studio and one bedroom independent-living units are 330 ft² (31 m²) and 450 ft² (42 m²) respectively.
  
• The Government of Canada recently unveiled its National Housing Strategy?a 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need.
  
• This investment supports the Saskatchewan Housing Strategy and Poverty Reduction Strategy goal of ensuring Saskatchewan people have affordable, safe, secure and stable housing.
  
• The City of Humboldt is supportive of this project and also committed to reducing the municipal portion of the Elizabeth property taxes by 30 percent for five years.

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 over $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