Federal and Provincial Governments Support Habitat for Humanity Project in Saskatoon

Released on October 23, 2017

“Our government is delighted to work in partnership with organizations like Habitat to build the sort of safe, appropriate, affordable housing necessary for healthy, sustainable communities,” said Goodale.  “This important investment will help stabilize the lives of 12 families—a significant achievement.  Through new investments like this project, our government is helping those who need it most in Saskatoon and all of Canada.”

“Like Habitat, our government believes in making affordable housing accessible to low-income Saskatchewan families who could not otherwise achieve the dream of homeownership,” Merriman said.  “Through safe, quality, affordable housing we are empowering families to build strength, stability and self-reliance, and build a promising future.  We are pleased to work with our partners to help 12 more Saskatchewan families embark on this exciting path, to celebrate the concept of the Slimmon Road Project in Saskatoon, and to continue keeping Saskatchewan strong.”

“The work that Habitat for Humanity spearheads in Saskatoon and beyond is so crucial for the creation of safe and connected communities where all people can thrive,” Clark said.  “This project will not only create 12 new units, but it also represents a life-changing milestone for 12 families.  This is such a worthwhile endeavour as it helps to build shared prosperity and the collective success of our city.”

“Everyone deserves a strong foundation for their family, and that starts with a home,” Cox-Lloyd said.  “Habitat Saskatoon creates strength, stability and independence through affordable home ownership.  The Habitat for Humanity model bridges the gap from rental to ownership for low-income families.  Our donors, volunteers and community partners help us in filling this gap, which creates a lasting impact for families and communities.”

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada, through CMHC, along with the Government of Saskatchewan, through SHC, jointly contributed $300,000 to build the homes through the 2014-2019 Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) Agreement.
• Located at 211 Slimmon Road, six out of 12 units are under construction, and six are ready for occupancy.
• The project consists of 12 townhouse-style homes, each ranging in size from approximately 930 square feet (86 square metres) for three-bedroom units, and up to 1,256 square feet (116 square metres) for four-bedroom homes.
• The province’s overall commitment to Habitat for Humanity totals $9.8 million since March 2009.  Of this amount, the federal and provincial governments have invested $2 million, thanks to the Social Infrastructure Fund, under the two most recent agreements between Saskatchewan and Habitat for Humanity.
• Habitat for Humanity’s innovative delivery model provides opportunities for families to stabilize their housing and to achieve their homeownership goals.  Each partner family selected by Habitat for Humanity contributes 500 partnering hours in building their home or other Habitat homes.

• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry.  For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• 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 more than $770 million to develop or repair almost 16,000 housing units across our province.  To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.