Released on November 15, 2013
The Government of Saskatchewan is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Regina (Habitat) to build a multi-family village in Regina. This is the first multi-family build by Habitat. The three tri-plexes on Lewvan Drive will soon be home to nine local families, giving them the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty through homeownership. The province will be providing $50,000 a door toward the nine homes and $250,000 from the province’s Summit Action Fund (SAF) to cover the purchase of land for a total of $700,000. The SAF was established in January 2013 as a revolving land trust.
“We’re pleased to be a part of this innovative project with our Habitat partner right here in Regina,” Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude said. “Habitat for Humanity’s innovative delivery model will provide opportunities for nine low to moderate income families in Regina to achieve their homeownership dreams. Funding Habitat initiatives like this one meets the goals of our Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, which includes increasing housing supply across the province.”
The homes will be built with support from the provincial government, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and the SAF, the City of Regina, Mosaic Potash Corporation, Farm Credit Canada, Miller Thomson, Steelworkers Local 5890 and Northridge Developments. Construction is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2014.
“Today we celebrate Habitat Plains, the first ever multi-family village built by Habitat for Humanity Regina. With the support of our partners and community, nine families will soon have the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty through homeownership,” Habitat for Humanity Regina Acting CEO Rob Gartner said. “By engaging and partnering with the community, individuals, corporate sponsors and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation we can work toward our vision, where everyone has a safe and decent place to call home. We cannot build homes and hope without these partnerships that will forever be represented at 263 Lewvan Drive.”
In the 2013-14 Budget, the province committed an additional $2 million to help build 40 new Habitat for Humanity homes throughout the province. This represents the largest budget increase in funding to Habitat for Humanity in Canada, and brings the province’s overall commitment to Habitat for Humanity to $7.1 million since March 2009. This total includes $600,000 from the province’s SAF, which will create sustainable revolving land trusts in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert to assist in the purchase and development of land.
Each partner family selected by Habitat for Humanity will contribute a minimum of 500 hours of volunteer labour toward the building of their home and other Habitat homes.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. The organization mobilizes volunteers and partners to build homes that provide families of low-income with access to affordable homeownership.
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For more information, contact:
Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246
Email: linda.saliken@gov.sk.ca