The quest to create more affordable housing spaces in North Battleford received a boost this week with the opening of two fourplexes on 104th Street.
The development, located on the 1000 block of 104th Street, is called Project 104. It is aimed at those with low-to-moderate incomes who are seeking affordable rental housing.
The project was funded through a partnership of two senior levels of government: with the federal government contributing through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the province contributing through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
The federal contribution is $160,000 under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement made with the provinces. Under the agreement the province also contributed $160,000 towards the project, which cost approximately $1.045 million. The owner and operator of Project 104 is H. Zamonsky Insurance Ltd.
"I have a feeling of satisfaction," said Harry Zamonsky, who was at the official ribbon-cutting Monday. Zamonsky also acted as his own general contractor during construction of the two buildings.
The project got off the ground during early 2012, he told reporters, with the construction starting around March or April.
Each of the eight units feature two bedrooms and are designed to house a minimum of two people with a combined income under $44,000.
Zamonsky sees potential renters as ranging from seniors to possibly students or university graduates who are new to the workforce.
He also pointed out that tenants who might take university courses and end up earning more than the $44,000 limit will not be forced to move out. Under the rules, "they get to stay because they qualified moving in," said Zamonsky.
Ultimately, he foresees those younger couples wanting to move on from rental accommodation to their own homes and home ownership.
There has been a concerted effort over the last few years to address the need for more affordable housing options in the city. According to numbers provided at Monday's ribbon cutting, 131 affordable rental units have now been completed in the Battlefords since November 2007.
The Project 104 units are located just up the street from another block of affordable housing units built in recent years - five fourplexes built by Battle Valley Enterprises completed in early 2012. Those rental units are aimed at seniors over 55 and also received considerable federal and provincial funding support.
Zamonsky said there is a need for affordable housing in the city and thanked both the federal and provincial governments for helping make it available.
He said the two governments' contribution allowed the cost of the project from Zamonsky's end to be brought down to the point where he could rent out the units at $825 a month and make ends meet.
"Frankly I think it's very generous of them to make this quality housing available," Zamonsky said.
He says he had positive experiences in dealing with government officials in determining what was needed to bring the project to fruition.
"I've had absolutely nothing but positive experience in dealing with all levels of the government, and frankly I'd do it again."
He says the same thing about the tradespeople who worked on the project, which came in on time and on budget. Zamonsky says he is happy about the quality of the finished product and was particularly pleased to point out that the buildings had central air conditioning.
That feature is "going to be appreciated by the seniors who get up in age and who need the extra comfort," said Zamonsky.
So far, four of the eight units have been rented and Zamonsky expects all the units will be rented once the announcements and the ads seeking qualified tenants go out in the media.
On hand for the ribbon cutting was Battlefords MLA Herb Cox who was there representing Social Services Minister June Draude, and Liane Dagenais, corporate representative with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Dagenais called the opening of the eight new rental housing units an "exciting day" for North Battleford.
"This is great news for people in housing need. By providing more rental housing options for local residents, this project will contribute to the economic and social well-being of the entire community."
Cox said the project is "truly a wonderful example of this agreement (Investment and Affordable Housing Agreement) in action and so many people coming together to help North Battleford individuals and families in housing need."
