Innovative Mixed Use Seniors Housing Project Complete with Assistance from Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan

HUMBOLDT, SK, Nov. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with the City of Humboldt and Stewart Properties, today announced the completion of The Elizabeth Retirement Community (Elizabeth) project for low income seniors in Humboldt. The project, undertaken by Stewart Properties, was made possible by a joint investment of more than $1 million from the federal and provincial governments.

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), along with the Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, His Worship Rob Muench, Mayor of the City of Humboldt, and Tyler Stewart, President of Stewart Properties, made the announcement.

Quotes:

"Our Government is committed to caring for our aging citizens. We are pleased to announce the official opening of The Elizabeth Retirement Community, an innovative, newly refreshed and rebuilt affordable housing development which will enable low-income seniors to age independently within their own community." ? Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness 

"The Elizabeth will give seniors the stability, comfort, and safety they need and enable them to remain close to family and friends. We are pleased to work with the Government of Canada, the City of Humboldt and Stewart Properties to meet that need here in Humboldt. This unique project provides safe and affordable housing to seniors in need. Our goal is to continue to help those in greatest housing need and keep Saskatchewan strong." ? Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for SHC

"The City of Humboldt has been looking forward to the completion of this project since we purchased the convent property from the Elizabethan Sisters. The Elizabeth Retirement Community provides 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 partnering with us. We owe a huge thank you to the developer, Stewart Properties, and all of the hard working volunteers who have seen this project through to completion. 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 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 fill this need in the community, in a creative way." ? Tyler Stewart, President, Stewart Properties

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada, through CMHC, and the Government of Saskatchewan, through SHC, jointly contributed approximately $1 million for 28 affordable housing units under the Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
• The City of Humboldt contributed $50,000 to the project and committed to reducing the municipal portion of the Elizabeth property taxes by 30 percent for five years.
• Located at 1212 12^th Avenue in Humboldt, the Elizabeth consists of a total of 40 units. Twenty-eight units are affordable, accessible, independent-living apartments (three studio and 22 one-bedroom units), one is a hospitality/respite suite and 11 are market assisted-living units.
• The existing 28,000 ft² St. Elizabeth's convent was repurposed to create the units. The studio and one-bedroom independent-living units are approximately 330 ft² (31 m²) and 450 ft² (42 m²) respectively.
• This innovative mixed-use project provides lower income seniors with additional accessibility and support services at an affordable rate as it bridges the cost between market senior's units and social housing.
• 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 Saskatchewan Housing Strategy, Disability Strategy and Poverty Reduction Strategy goal of ensuring Saskatchewan people have affordable, safe, secure and stable housing.

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 visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

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 $780 million to develop or repair more than over 16,000 housing units across our province. To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation