NORTEP Student-Family Housing Opens in La Ronge

LA RONGE, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Sept. 11, 2014) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with Northern Teacher Education Program Council Inc. (NORTEP), today celebrated the official opening of new housing in La Ronge. Eight units of affordable rental housing are provided to students and their families as they pursue their education in La Ronge.

Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

"Our Government is committed to working with Saskatchewan to develop and implement local solutions to housing," said MP Clarke. "The investments here in La Ronge are helping students and their families' access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs."

"This project is the result of individuals, business and government working as a team to help make good things happen in Saskatchewan communities," said Minister Harpauer. "The availability of safe and secure, appropriate housing for these students while they are in school greatly increases their chances of success. We are proud to work with our partners to help these students on their path to success, and support the goals outlined in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth."

"The lack of housing in northern communities has been identified in study after study," said Dr. Herman Michell, president and CEO of NORTEP-NORPAC Inc., "This project will allow, in particular, First Nations and Métis students, who make the majority of our student population, to finish their degrees with comfort knowing they do not have to worry about a roof over their heads while they are trying to complete their university requirements."

The NORTEP Student Family Housing Project, located at 321 Louis Road, includes six four-bedroom units and two five-bedroom units, with an estimated building cost of $2.74 million. Four of the units are funded by the province's Rental Development Program, made possible by the Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement and the other four units are funded by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation's Summit Action Fund along with sponsors and mortgage financing.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 600,000 households living in existing social housing. In Saskatchewan, this represents an estimated 28,000 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continues this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. From April 2011 to June 2014, close to 184,000 households have benefited from this investment nationally, including 1,673 households in Saskatchewan.

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 2011, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested $326 million to develop more than 5,600 units and repair more than 24,300 homes around the province.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.