Federal and Provincial Governments Break Ground for 10 New Habitat for Humanity Homes in Regina

Released on October 26, 2017

Today, Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Coronation Park MLA Mark Docherty on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Paul Merriman, celebrated the beginning of 10 new Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) homes for families in Regina.

“The Government of Canada is proud to be part of the important work being done in Regina by Habitat for Humanity,” said Goodale.  “When complete, Haultain Crossing will come to represent what our province is all about: families helping other families and communities coming together to help residents in times of need.  These new units will soon make the dream of homeownership a reality for 10 families and I can’t wait to see how it will transform their lives.”

“No matter who we are or where we come from, we all need a quality home in which to feel safe and secure every day,” Docherty said.  “Our government is proud to support Habitat’s important work, along with the Government of Canada and other community partners, to help Saskatchewan families in greatest housing need.  We thank everyone involved in this project, and for doing their part to keep Saskatchewan strong.”

“The City of Regina has provided more than $1 million of support for Habitat for Humanity over the years, and Haultain,” City of Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said.  “Crossing is a great example of why we work with them.  Each stage of this ambitious project has introduced us to 10 worthy local families who will work toward the life-changing experience of home ownership.  I am proud the city can help make that dream a reality.”

“Today’s sod turning not only marks the start of construction on 10 more Habitat homes for low income families here in Regina, but also marks the half-way point of the largest Habitat development in Saskatchewan,” Habitat for Humanity Regina CEO Kelly Holmes-Binns said.  “At completion, Haultain Crossing will be home to 62 families.  Thanks to the wonderful contributions of time and money we continue to receive from our community supporters, neighbours are helping neighbours build homes that provide a safe and affordable foundation for a better life.”

Quick facts:

• Located at 1033 Edgar Street, Haultain Crossing will contain 62 townhouse-style condominiums located in Regina’s Eastview neighbourhood.  The main and upper floors of each unit will total 1,216 square feet or 113 square metres.
• The Government of Canada, through CMHC, along with the Government of Saskatchewan, through SHC, jointly contributed close to $400,000 to build these homes through the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
• The City of Regina has provided funding of $15,000 for each of these ten homes for a total of $150,000.
• Private sponsors for three of the 10 units include Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Town and Country Plumbing and Heating and The Mosaic Company.
• The unit sponsored by The Mosaic Company is a partnership with Trade and Skills Construction Apprenticeship Program (TASCAP). TASCAP engages and trains high school students in a variety of construction trade areas.  This is real life education for students who are on site daily for an entire semester during the construction of the home.  Qualified instructors lead students through the build from the foundation up.  Students earn five credits through the program in addition to apprenticeship hours they can put toward future training in trades.
• One unit will receive funding from the ”Square Foot for Habitat” initiative.  This is a Habitat Regina led Checkout for Charity fundraiser running at local Regina businesses where customers can make a donation to Habitat when making purchases.
• 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.
• This investment also supports Saskatchewan’s Poverty Reduction Strategy goal of ensuring Saskatchewan people have access to affordable, safe, secure and stable housing.
• Each partner family selected by Habitat for Humanity contributes 500 partnering hours in building their home or other Habitat homes.  The family purchases their home at fair market value, paying an interest-free, zero downpayment mortgage set at 25 per cent of their annual gross income.  To learn more about Habitat for Humanity and their work across Saskatchewan, visit www.habitat.ca.

• 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.