Groundbreaking for New Affordable Housing in Regina

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - July 29, 2015) - The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, along with community partners, today celebrated the groundbreaking for a new affordable housing project for families with complex needs.

The six-unit facility, to be owned by Gabriel Housing Corporation, will serve Regina and surrounding area and include support services that empower families to attain a healthy lifestyle in many aspects of their lives including the home, employment and education/training, as well as spiritual and recreational needs. Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament for Palliser, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with Gene Makowsky, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Regina Dewdney, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and His Worship, Mayor Michael Fougere made the announcement today at the groundbreaking of the new housing facility.

Quick facts:

• The federal and provincial governments, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), are jointly contributing $810,000 under the $92 million Canada-Saskatchewan Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) 2014-2019 Agreement.

• Gabriel Housing Corporation is making a combined contribution of $758,000 in mortgage financing and land equity. In addition, the City of Regina is contributing $90,000.

• Gabriel Housing Corporation strives to contribute, manage and administer affordable and safe housing to Métis urban dwellers.

• The project consists of the new construction of a six-unit building at 2059 Edward Street. The building will consist of 2 two-bedroom units, 2 three-bedroom units and 2 four-bedroom units.

• Gabriel Housing Corporation and Aboriginal Family Services Centre (AFSC) have signed a Service/Rental Agreement for the building.

• AFSC is dedicated to providing services that support and empower families, children, and youth to attain a healthy lifestyle in the many aspects of their life, including the home, work/job, education/training, spiritual, and recreational. The AFSC believes the importance of individual and family well-being is a foundation for both strong families and communities and economic growth.

Quotes:

"Our Government is helping to make affordable housing available in Saskatchewan and across Canada. These new units will help families in Regina access affordable housing and services that meet their needs." - Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament for Palliser, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

"Our Government continues to support individuals and families in greatest housing need, and to improve housing affordability in Saskatchewan. We are proud to work with our partners to make housing projects like this a reality. Our goal is to keep Saskatchewan strong, and the well-being of individual and families is a pillar of that vision." - Member of the Legislative Assembly for Regina Dewdney Gene Makowsky, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"While Regina's vacancy rate has improved significantly in the last year, we are very aware that there is still a strong need for affordable housing throughout the city. We are thrilled to have Gabriel Housing introducing specified units that will make a real difference in the lives of families who have a hard time finding homes that fit their specific needs." - Michael Fougere, Regina Mayor

"Gabriel Housing Corporation strives to offer a diverse mix of affordable housing units based on the community's needs. This new development will help meet the needs of people on our waiting list seeking two-, three- and four-bedroom units, and provide more affordable and diverse housing while continuing to address the needs of the community. The Board of Directors of Gabriel Housing Corporation are very pleased that our partners, the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the City of Regina are assisting us in reaching our goal of providing safe, healthy and affordable housing units to families." - Doug Moran, Chief Executive Officer, Gabriel Housing Corporation

Associated links:

• Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), invests approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve 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 continued 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.

• 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 $580 million to develop and repair more than 12,500 homes around the province.

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