About Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

Mandate

SHC provides housing and housing services to people who could not otherwise afford or access adequate, safe and secure shelter, while recognizing the marketplace as the primary housing provider in the province. SHC also plays a lead role in developing housing policies on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan and manages financial contributions from the provincial, federal and municipal levels of government, as well as revenues from rents.

SHC was established in 1973 under The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Act. In the 1970s and ’80s, the province’s inventory of public housing units grew significantly as SHC took on the delivery of new housing programs and funding for housing projects on behalf of the provincial and federal governments. Today, SHC continues to invest in affordable housing for renters and homeowners, with a focus on housing for seniors and families with low incomes and for people with disabilities.

SHC and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) have signed various funding agreements to increase the supply and quality of affordable housing in the province.

In 2019, SHC entered into a 10-year, cost-matched funding agreement with CMHC under the National Housing Strategy (NHS). Through the 10-year agreement, SHC will invest approximately $585 million in provincial and federal funding to protect, renew and expand community housing, and support Saskatchewan’s priorities related to housing repair, construction and affordability.

To learn more, read the Saskatchewan Housing Action Plan 2022-2025.

SHC Board of Directors

A board of directors appointed by the Government of Saskatchewan oversees the affairs and business of SHC. The SHC board is responsible to the Minister of Social Services for the performance of its duties and to exercise the powers vested in it through The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Act and other consequential statues and policies. The board’s responsibilities include establishing SHC’s strategic direction, overseeing SHC’s financial affairs, and identifying and mitigating risks to the corporation.

• Giselle Marcotte, President and CEO of SHC, Assistant Deputy Minister of Housing
• Kevin Dureau (Chair)
• Jo-Anne Dusel (Vice-Chair)
• Kimberly Kratzig (Director)
• Jeff Markewich (Director)
• Don Meikle (Director)
• Murali Krishnan (Director)

Housing Division, Ministry of Social Services

SHC’s work is primarily carried out by employees in the Housing Division of the Ministry of Social Services.

Executive Directors

• Sean Burnett, Policy and Service Design
• Roger Parenteau, Housing Operations

Housing Authority System

The Minister of Social Services establishes local housing authorities and appoints the volunteer board members who govern operations of these housing authorities. As of December 31, 2023, there are over 240 housing authorities in more than 260 communities across Saskatchewan. Local housing authorities deliver rental housing programs on SHC’s behalf. To search for a housing authority, go to Local Housing Authorities.

The Living Skies Housing Authority is an agency of SHC that provides operating supports and services to local housing authorities and non-profit housing co-operations.

Plains HR Services is also an agency of SHC. Plains provides HR supports to local housing authorities.

SHC owns almost 18,000 units in more than 260 Saskatchewan communities. SHC-owned units are targeted to households with low and moderate incomes, including families, seniors, people with disabilities and people who are unable to access or maintain stable housing due to housing barriers such as addictions or mental health challenges.

Through funding programs such as the Rental Development Program and the Shelter Enhancement Program, SHC offers capital funding to help housing organizations develop affordable rental housing units, repair or renew existing affordable housing units, and build or repair emergency shelters and second-stage housing.

The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Act provides operating parameters for the corporation. The Act establishes a Board of Directors to conduct the affairs and business of the corporation in accordance with legislated objectives and powers vested in the corporation.

The following federal and provincial acts also apply to SHC:

• National Housing Act (federal)
• The Crown Corporations Act, 1993 (provincial)
• The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (provincial)
• The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018 (provincial)
• Canadian Human Rights Act (federal)
• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (federal)