New affordable housing opens in East Hill

An investment of $5.6 million for 30 new social housing units in Prince Albert.

The Saskatchewan Government, through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), paid for the family units as part of the Government’s portfolio renewal initiative.

The project was undertaken by RNF Development Company and will be managed by the Prince Albert Housing Authority.

Fred Payton, Chairman for the authority’s board of directors, said the housing development will provide 90 to 100 people with town houses to live in.

“When you have a real home you have an opportunity to get ahead in life,” said Payton.

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Payton said this facility is meant for families who can’t afford commercial rents in the private sector. He said because the units are ‘up-to date’ residents will spend less money on utilities such as heat.

“By paying the rents here, hopefully they’ll be able to save some money that they had previously not been able to save as a down payment on a house of their own in the future,” said Payton. “It means a lot to the people of Prince Albert to be able to provide safe affordable housing for those who really need it the most.”

Manager of tenant services, Gale Kenzle-Taylor, said several people want to rent in the new development and the housing units are filling up fast.

“Of the 30 units, the first phase are full, the second phase is two thirds full and out of the seven here in the last phase, the wheel chair unit is gone for November 1, 2014,” said Kenzle-Taylor. “I do assume that we will have everything rented by December 1, 2014.”

The final phase of the development is located at 2929 5A Avenue East.

“The East Hill neighborhood development includes 30 units, 28 of which are three-bedroom units and two are two-bedroom wheelchair accessible units,” said Linda Saliken with the government’s social services.

According to Saliken the three-bedroom units are 937 square feet (87.1 square meters) and the two-bedroom units are 805 square feet (74.8 square meters).

The authority welcomed Mayor Greg Dionne in to unit one of the facility on Friday. He said it’s important to recognize the authority and the development company for all their hard work.

“If you give people good shelter and they have ability and they take pride in their life, the projects like this actually help with the crime rate,” said Dionne. “People take pride and when they take pride in their house they also take pride in their community, so it’s a big thing to have proper housing for people.”

Payton said the authority hopes the city will aid in future housing projects. Mayor Greg Dionne said the city will do whatever they can to help.

“I do believe in life that we should be entitled to shelter and food,” said Dionne.

To apply for social rental housing through the authority you must be a family, senior or person with a disability and making a low to moderate income.

“It will depend on their income, we do a means test for all of our tenants, and dependent on where they score they will be listed in priority and then they can be moved into the facility,” said Payton.

You are eligible for the social housing benefit if:

-your Household’s income and assets are at or below the limits established by Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) from time to time,

-you are able to live independently either alone or with supports,

-your household fits with the types of housing we have available in your community,

-you have good rental references from landlords, and

-you are not in Canada on a student visa or as a visitor. 

Saliken said the proceeds for the units are being reinvested in new multiple-unit housing.

“SHC is currently selling single-family housing units in Moose Jaw and Prince Albert,” said Saliken.

She said these units provide more affordable housing in Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter:@princealbertnow