Together, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announced an additional combined investment of some $92 million over five years, to help more individuals and families in need access affordable housing. The funding will be delivered through an extension to the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) Agreement.
"Our government is proud to partner with the Province of Saskatchewan to ensure quality, affordable housing is available," said Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development. "This bilateral agreement provides flexibility for the province to decide how to allocate this substantial investment according to their local needs and priorities. As a result, we are also creating needed jobs and opportunities for apprentices."
"We are pleased to continue to work with the Government of Canada to proactively ensure affordable housing is available in communities across Saskatchewan," Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer said. "By signing this agreement, we expect to accomplish a number of goals that complement our Growth Plan and Housing Strategy. This includes working with other housing sector partners to ensure that current and future housing needs of Saskatchewan households are met."
The federal portion of this funding comes from Economic Action Plan 2013, which announced the Government of Canada's commitment to investing more than $1.25 billion nationally over five years to extend the IAH and to creating opportunities for apprentices, which will support the training of skilled labour in residential housing. Governments will report annually to the public regarding the investments and progress toward achieving the intended outcomes of the IAH.
Under the IAH, the Province of Saskatchewan has the flexibility to design and deliver a range of affordable housing programs to address local housing needs and priorities.
On September 6, 2011, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announced an IAH Agreement with a combined investment of more than $55 million for the 2011-2014 period. This new agreement extends the original agreement for the 2014-2019 period with an additional combined investment of some $92 million. From April 2011 to March 2014, the IAH has already helped more than 183,600 households nationally, including more than 1,700 in Saskatchewan.
