Released on November 22, 2017
On November 22 - National Housing Day – the province is celebrating the achievements that have been made in addressing the housing needs of Saskatchewan people. National Housing Day is also a day to mark the importance of housing in the lives of Canadians.
“Since November 2007, our government has invested more than $773 million to develop 11,600 new units and repair 4,330 homes around the province,” Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Paul Merriman said. “This has truly been a decade of growth in our housing sector. We will continue to do our best to deliver housing and homelessness programs that support Saskatchewan citizens in greatest housing need, and keep Saskatchewan strong.”
Housing activity in the last decade includes the following:
- To date, 588 affordable rental housing units have been developed for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Another 112 units are currently under construction.
- Since November 2007, 519 affordable rental housing units have been developed and are owned by Indigenous housing providers. These projects received more than $44 million in funding. An additional 66 units, with $6 million in funding, are under construction.
- Since November 2007, government has invested $2.87 million in the development of 40 affordable rental units for people with disabilities.
- SHC’s Rental Development Program is targeting funding for projects for people with complex needs.
- SHC is working with northern stakeholders to address housing challenges in the North. Since 2007, through a number of initiatives and partnerships with municipalities and other government agencies, more than 300 rental and homeowner units have been delivered or are under construction in northern Saskatchewan.
- The Ministry of Social Services is involved in a number of community-based efforts to provide shelter for the homeless, including cold weather strategies, community advisory boards, community-based homelessness planning efforts, community mobilization, and child, youth and family community partnerships.
- here are 455 permanent emergency shelter spaces in Saskatchewan, not including temporary emergency shelter beds, domestic violence shelters, youth shelters, detox centres, and First Nations shelters. Since 2007, the number of emergency shelter spaces in the province has more than doubled, representing an increase of 237 new permanent shelter spaces.
- Through SHC’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the province is developing additional affordable homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income Saskatchewan people.
- Through the HeadStart on a Home program, the province continues to collaborate with builders, municipalities, and financial institutions to increase the supply of entry-level homes in the province.
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For more information, contact:
Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca