Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Support Northern Saskatchewan Housing Initiatives

LA RONGE, SK, May 3, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan are working together to develop housing opportunities for residents in Northern Saskatchewan to ensure that they have a safe, affordable place to call home.

The federal and provincial governments have provided a combined investment of more than $2.6 million to create 12 new social rental units for low-income seniors at Spruce Manor, as well as more than $1.8 million for Piwapan Women's Shelter and Sapohtewan House, which serve victims of domestic violence in La Ronge.

In addition to the La Ronge projects, the federal and provincial governments, in collaboration with northern stakeholders, have invested in several housing projects to meet various community needs throughout Northern Saskatchewan.

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), and His Worship Ron Woytowich, Mayor of the Town of La Ronge, made the announcement today.

Quotes

""Through major new investments in affordable housing, our Government is providing assistance to those who need it most in La Ronge and in all corners of the country. We are working to cut chronic homelessness in half and to provide those fleeing domestic violence access stable and supportive environments. These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the economy, while providing access to safe, affordable homes."
? Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"Meeting the housing needs of northern Saskatchewan residents and contributing to their safety is a priority for our Government. Providing adequate housing is necessary to the health, safety and wellness of our northern communities and these initiatives reflect that commitment. Through our work with the Federal Government on the National Housing Strategy, we will continue to ensure housing support for Saskatchewan's most vulnerable citizens."
? Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"On behalf of the town of La Ronge, I take pride in congratulating the La Ronge Native Women's association, and the La Ronge Housing Corporation, on the opening of these new housing facilities that will benefit residents of communities comprising the La Ronge region. We acknowledge and thank both the Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada for understanding the need that exists and providing the financial support to make these facilities a reality."
-His Worship Ron Woytowich, Mayor, Town of La Ronge

Quick Facts

• Located in La Ronge, Spruce Manor is a new seniors' housing project consisting of two buildings. The first is a 10-unit, one-level building with six 2-bedroom units and four 1-bedroom units. The second building is a semi-detached building with two 2-bedroom units. Of the eight 2-bedroom units, four are considered as barrier free (two in the 10-unit and both in the semi-detached). Twelve units are social housing units; rents will be set at an affordable level based on tenants' income. Spruce Manor will be managed by La Ronge Regional Housing Authority.
• Two projects are serving victims of domestic of violence in the North. Located in La Ronge, the first project, Piwapan Women's Shelter, has improved safety, building longevity and wheelchair accessibility at the shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. The second project, Sapohtewan House, is now providing four units of "second stage" rental housing to women and children exiting Piwapan Women's Shelter. La Ronge Native Women's Council operates Piwapan Women's Shelter and Sapohtewan House.
• The federal and provincial governments, in collaboration with northern stakeholders, have also invested in the following Northern Saskatchewan housing projects to meet various community needs:
• More than $2.8 million in funding for 28 affordable rental units in La Loche (16 single-parent family units have been completed, an additional six are under construction and six are conditionally approved for government funding);
• Approximately $910,000 for the completion of six units for seniors in La Loche;
• A total of $900,000 towards four Northern Student Build homes ($450,000 for two homes in La Loche and two homes in Ile-a-la-Crosse) constructed by participating school divisions in La Loche and Ile-a-la Crosse.
• Up to $1.1 million towards the completion of Pinehouse Housing Corporation's Hilltop Triplex family project (nine affordable rental units) in Pinehouse Lake.
• On January 23, 2019 the Premier of Saskatchewan announced $750,000 in provincial funding to support the development of 12 new housing units in La Loche for professionals who deliver programs to northern residents, including health and education programs.
• $750,000 in provincial funding, announced by Premier Scott Moe in January 2019, to support the development of 12 new housing units in La Loche for professionals who deliver programs to northern residents, including health and education programs.
• Since 2007, the federal and provincial governments have provided a combined investment of $41 million to support housing in northern Saskatchewan to develop 123 Saskatchewan Housing Corporation-owned rental units, 161 third-party-owned rental units, and 85 homeowner units and to repair eight third-party-owned shelter bedrooms.
• 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 per cent.
• Saskatchewan Housing Corporation supports the growth of a stronger housing market in the North by increasing housing supply, providing housing support to individuals and families in greatest need, enhancing strategic planning for housing and creating opportunities for private sector investment in affordable 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 $790 million to develop or repair more than 16,000 housing units across our province.  To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation