Housing programs redesigned

Two newly redesigned programs that will improve and maintain affordable housing are being launched today.

The Saskatchewan Home Repair Program and the Conversion Initiative were both redesigned this past year to ensure they reflect Saskatchewan's current housing environment and unique housing needs. The Saskatchewan Home Repair Program was formerly a suite of 10 different repair and adaptation programs.

The Saskatchewan Home Repair Program will assist moderate-income homeowners and rental property owners housing low-income tenants to repair and/or adapt their dwellings so they are not lost from the market. The Conversion Initiative will focus on encouraging development of new rental housing by private and non-profit groups by converting non-residential space to residential use.

"In order to meet the growing housing needs in our province, we have to both increase the amount of affordable housing and also maintain the existing stock," Social Services Minister June Draude said. "Both of these programs will help us achieve these important objectives."

Enhancements to the Saskatchewan Home Repair Program include:

Higher assistance levels for repairs and/or adaptations to property;

Increased eligibility for homeowners to include moderate-level households;

Increased eligibility for households with disability-related issues to account for additional disability-related costs;

Increased assistance levels to reflect the increased cost of repairs and to ensure that the program assists those most in need; and

Shorter forgiveness period for program loans.

Enhancements to the Conversion Initiative include:

Level of assistance increased to a maximum of $30,000 per unit from $24,000 per unit for self-contained units;

Level of assistance increased to a maximum of $23,000 per unit from $16,000 per unit for rooming house units; and

Shorter forgiveness period for program loans from fifteen to five years.

The total cost of these redesigned programs will be $6.7 million in 2012-13. Application forms and program information are available on the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation website at http://www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca/housing. For more information on these programs, please contact Saskatchewan Housing Corporation at 1-800-667-7567.