First Nations Housing Project Opens in Saskatoon

News Release – March 20, 2009

A $1.1 million affordable housing project for low- to moderate-income families officially opened today in Saskatoon. Located in the inner-city neighbourhood of Pleasant Hill, 15 families and individuals now have a place they can call home.”Meeting the housing needs of Saskatchewan people is a commitment that our government takes very seriously,” Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. “Affordable, good quality housing is an important part of the supports that must be in place to ensure that all Saskatchewan families benefit from our prosperous economy.”

The province, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, contributed $891,000 toward the total project cost of $1.1 million, with the remainder provided by the One Arrow First Nation ($90,000 in equity and $35,000 in-kind contributions) and the City of Saskatoon ($99,000).

“This great project is part of a goal to achieve 500 new designated affordable housing units in Saskatoon each year as set out in the City’s Housing Business Plan,” Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison said. “We congratulate Cress Housing and the One Arrow First Nation on this important housing achievement.”

The project consists of one bachelor caretaker unit, six one-bedroom units and eight two-bedroom units. Rents for the units will be set at the lower level of current market rent levels for the area.

One Arrow First Nation is a Cree First Nation and member of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, with its reserve located about 90 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. One Arrow First Nation also has an urban reserve in Saskatoon at 20th Street and Avenue P, which is being used for commercial development.

Cress Housing Corporation of Saskatoon, a non-profit organization, will be the property manager of the project. Cress acts as the housing authority for the Saskatoon Tribal Council and now manages more than 230 low-income rental properties in the Saskatoon area.

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For more information, contact:

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246

Alan Wallace
City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-2650