Social Housing Transition Benefits People in Greatest Need

Prince Albert’s most vulnerable people will soon gain better access to affordable housing in our city. This is because of a decision to transition the Affordable Housing Program into the Social Housing Program in Saskatchewan’s largest centers.

Beginning March 1, 2015, anyone who applies for government-owned rental housing in urban centres will only be eligible for the Social Housing Rental Program. Rent will be based on 30 per cent of income.

The purpose of this transition is to ensure that seniors, families and individuals with the greatest housing need have better access to safe, quality housing. At the same time, the program ensures that our government housing remains truly affordable for those who live in it. That is why this transition is so important.

This transition will reduce, or have no change, on the rent of almost 1,300 low-income households. It will put more money in their pocket, and will ensure that more vulnerable people have access to social housing.

Existing Affordable Housing tenants will have the opportunity to transition to the Social Housing Program.  Many existing tenants should benefit from a rent decrease immediately, based on their income.  Other tenants who remain in the Affordable Housing Program will pay a lower market rent, but these rents will increase over time.

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It just makes sense to have one housing program that makes it easier and more affordable for households in real need.

Saskatchewan is also making progress keeping more locally-trained family medicine graduates in the province. 

In Prince Albert, the U of S has been training Family Medicine residents for over ten years. Our training here in Prince Albert includes the only enhanced surgical skills program in Canada. This local program retains more than 80 per cent of its graduates in rural areas.

The retention rate of all family medicine graduates trained at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) has jumped by 11 per cent over the past year.  The increase – from 58 per cent to 69 per cent – means that more locally-trained medical graduates are deciding to stay and practice medicine in Saskatchewan.

Patients right here in Saskatchewan benefit from their expert training and homegrown leadership.  

We know medical students and residents develop an affinity for the communities where they train, so the College of Medicine continues to expand learning opportunities across Saskatchewan.  Our government will continue to look for new ways to make sure that Saskatchewan is where these valued health providers want to practice.

The number of physicians in Saskatchewan has risen 24.3 per cent (by 423 physicians) between March 2007 and March 2014, while overall physician turnover rates have decreased.  Saskatchewan offers one of the best physician compensation rates in Canada. It’s an investment that helps to build a stronger social environment, and a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people.

Prince Albert Northcote constituents are always welcome to contact me.  Call 306-922-4220, visit my website at http://mlajurgens.ca or email mlajurgens@sasktel.net. My office is located at 5A 598 15 St. East across from Superstore.