Governments Of Canada And Saskatchewan Support Habitat For Humanity In Melfort

Released on September 11, 2020

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have partnered with Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) to help a Melfort family realize their dream of homeownership.

Member of the Legislative Assembly for Melfort Todd Goudy, on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Paul Merriman, and Gary Gurtler, Acting Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Prince Albert, made the announcement today.

Located at 404 Burrows Avenue West, the project consists of a three-bedroom, bi-level home.  The house is about 988 square feet.

“Habitat for Humanity continues doing important work to build more housing for families across Canada,” said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.  “We are proud to partner with Habitat to make a difference in Melfort.  Congratulations to the family who will now have a new place to call home.”

“Having a safe and affordable place to live is essential to a family’s success,” Goudy said.  “Today we have the honour of welcoming a family to their new house, which we trust they will turn into their new home giving it a bright future and filling it with great memories.  Together, with Habitat for Humanity, we are making progress in helping families put down roots and strengthening communities across Saskatchewan.”

“Seeing the smiles, knowing that many new memories will be made as a new family proudly accepts this house, makes working for Habitat for Humanity alongside our many community partners and volunteers so enjoyable,” Gurtler said.

“As a city, we are pleased with the work that is done in our community by Habitat for Humanity to help families achieve home ownership,” Melfort Mayor Rick Lang said.  “I would like to thank both the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan for their involvement with the Habitat for Humanity program which makes all of this possible.  It is truly a benefit to these families and a benefit to our community.”

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Government of Saskatchewan, through SHC, jointly contributed $65,000 to build this home through the National Housing Strategy bilateral agreement.
• Including this project, our investment to Habitat for Humanity in Melfort will total $195,000.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy, an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 125,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
• The province’s overall commitment to Habitat for Humanity totals more than $12.4 million since March 2009.  This total includes funding of $600,000 from the provincial Summit Action Fund.
• Habitat’s innovative delivery model provides opportunities for families to stabilize their housing and to achieve their homeownership goals.  Each partner family selected by Habitat contributes 500 partnering hours in building their home or other Habitat homes.  To learn more about Habitat for Humanity and their work across Saskatchewan, visit www.habitat.ca.

Associated links:

• 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.  CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs.  For more information, please visit www.cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.  To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca. 
• Pursuant to the National Housing Strategy, the Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Agreement will invest $449.9 million over the next 10 years, cost matched by the federal and provincial governments, in housing across the province.  CMHC and the Government of Saskatchewan have reached an agreement on the first three-year action plan. 
• Under the agreement, housing is a key priority in providing a better quality of life for Saskatchewan families and communities.  Since 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested $804 million to develop or repair more than 16,600 housing units around the province.  To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Jessica Eritou
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Ottawa
Phone: 819-654-5546
Email: Jessica.eritou@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Leonard Catling
CMHC 
Calgary
Phone: 604-787-1787
Email: lcatling@cmhc-schl.gc.ca 

Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-519-7835
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca