Four local families will soon be moving into new homes. A four-unit housing project for families was recently opened in the city, an initiative directed towards working parents with four or more children. The project was undertaken by the Provincial Metis Housing Corporation (PMHC) with funding from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC).
The homes, which recently opened on Ontario Ave., consist of two semi-detached bi-level buildings, with a total of four units. Each unit has five bedrooms and 1,905 square feet of living space. The total cost of the project is $1.3 million, with $900,000 provided through the SHC through the Metis Housing Trust. The remainder was provided by the PMHC and mortgage financing. The homes were built by Highland Contracting Ltd.
Social Services Minister and Minister for SHC June Draude says that the government is proud to support the project because it gives families a better home.
"What we're really doing is building a safe life for children and communities, and that's something which makes me very proud," Draude says.
She says that the government has been working with the PMHC for a long time, and they both recognized the need for new housing, especially for larger families.
Draude says that the government recognizes the need for housing across categories in the province, and hopes to work with different communities as well as organizations like the PMHC to make that happen.
"We know that as we build the province everybody needs a place to call home, and the government has responsibility. Working with communities is very important to us," Draude says.
New resident Deanna Swain says the housing will make a big difference to her family, which is a foster family with five children. She says the new home is a big step up from their previous place, a three bedroom home with one bath.
"The girls could not stop talking about how much they appreciate the home and the space... It's already more stress free, a much happier space and lots of room," Swain says.
She says that she appreciates that the government is supporting initiatives for Metis people and their families.
