It's a growing problem as the province prospers and it's one that will need addressing before the situation becomes dire.
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced it is leading the development of a comprehensive housing strategy by the end of June 2011. The strategy will be developed by Saskatchewan Housing Corporation in co-ordination with stakeholders in the housing industry, including rural and urban municipalities, home builders and developers, real estate organizations, chambers of commerce and community-based organizations across Saskatchewan.
The goal is to strengthen Saskatchewan's affordable housing system in the short term and give it a solid foundation for the future.
"Once completed, the strategy will help bring clarity to all levels of government, including municipalities, various ministries of the provincial government, as well as stakeholders such as builders and developers on each of our roles in delivering housing solutions," Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude says. "The overall aim of the housing strategy will be to support a growing population and make certain that housing is accessible to all people in Saskatchewan."
Action will be key. We keep meet and discuss and ponder until the cows come home but swift action is going to be needed to ensure Saskatchewan's working families and lower income individuals can afford to live.
"The more affluent a community gets, the higher rental prices go up, and the more difficult it is for those on more modest incomes," said Yorkton Chamber of Commerce Board Member Tom Seeley at a recent local event.
"It's clear that virtually no rental accommodation has been built in 30 years, and we can't go on like that, we have to have governments create the environment whereby more rental accommodation can be built."
We know there is a problem, not let's work together to take the steps necessary to ensure all have equal opportunities when it comes to have a warm, solid roof over our heads.
