Federal and Provincial Governments Support Housing Projects in Northern Saskatchewan

LA LOCHE, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - June 12, 2017) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan are working together to making Northern Saskatchewan communities stronger by improving housing affordability and supporting individuals and families in greatest housing need.

The federal and provincial governments have provided a combined investment of over $7 million to support various housing initiatives in the communities of La Loche, Ile-a-la-Crosse, La Ronge and Pinehouse Lake. This investment will assist in the development of up to 44 affordable rental units and the rejuvenation of eight emergency shelter units to help address housing challenges in these northern Saskatchewan communities.

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 Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), made the announcement today.

Quick Facts

• Working with northern stakeholders, the federal and provincial governments have invested in the following housing projects to meet various community needs:
  
  
  • Methy Housing Corporation - La Loche Action Plan (opening of 14-unit affordable housing project for individuals and families in La Loche);
  • La Loche Elders' Project (funding announcement for six-unit housing project for elders in La Loche);
  • Northern Student Build House (two homes constructed by participating school divisions in La Loche and Ile a la Crosse);
  • SDC Property Management Family Housing Project (opening of five housing units for families in Ile-a-la-Crosse);
  • La Ronge Native Womens' Council (funding announcement for Piwapan Women's Shelter addition and renovation work to their present shelter in La Ronge); and
  • Pinehouse Housing Corporation Elders' Complex (opening of 12-unit affordable housing project for elders in Pinehouse Lake).
    
    
• Since 2007, the federal and provincial governments have provided a combined investment of over $26 million to support housing in the communities of La Loche, Ile-a-la-Crosse, La Ronge and Air Ronge, and Pinehouse Lake, including the creation of 176 affordable rental units, 49 homeownership units, and assistance with repairs for 284 homeowners, 54 renters, and 8 women fleeing domestic violence.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• This investment supports the Saskatchewan Housing Strategy and Poverty Reduction Strategy goal of ensuring Saskatchewan people have affordable, safe, secure and stable housing.

Quotes

"Through investments in affordable housing, our Government is helping to build stronger communities in northern Saskatchewan by providing assistance to those who need it most. Projects like these will provide more than just safe and affordable places to live, they are key to a better life for the residents who will call them home."

- Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The social and community benefits that will be realized as a result of these housing initiatives are substantial. These projects target households in need and follow through on our Government's promise to make communities stronger and to improve the quality of life of our northern residents. We are pleased to work with the Government of Canada, municipalities and other community partners to make these projects a reality and keep Saskatchewan strong."

- Honourable Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"The Northern Village of La Loche is greatly appreciative of the federal and provincial government's funding support toward our community's 14-unit housing project. We are also pleased that, once again, Methy Housing Corporation has demonstrated its capacity by constructing all 14 units entirely with local labour. We look forward in anticipation continued support in providing additional, much-needed housing units for our residents."

- Mayor Robert St. Pierre, Northern Village of La Loche

"The Northern Village of Ile a la Crosse appreciates the funding support received from the federal and provincial governments for these projects. Without it, we wouldn't be able to move forward. Providing adequate housing is absolutely necessary to the health, safety and wellness of our northern communities."

- Mayor Duane Favel, Northern Village of Ile-a-la-Crosse

"Piwapan Women's Shelter has been an integral part of La Ronge for many years and has served all of our northern communities extremely well in providing emergency shelter and support for women fleeing family violence. The funding they will receive provides for needed renovations that will provide greater accessibility for women with disabilities, and for expansion of their present building increasing their capacity greatly. As a community, we welcome this financial support."

- Mayor Ron Woytowich, Town of La Ronge

"The Northern Village of Pinehouse Lake appreciates the support from the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan to help meet the need for housing in our community. We are grateful for the opportunity to train workers and build a complex for our seniors to enjoy for years to come."

- Mayor Mike Natomagan, Northern Village of Pinehouse Lake

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• CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. 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 Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of CMHC's operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca or follow CMHC 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 $750 million to develop or repair more than 15,500 housing units across our province.