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Affordable housing program begins with WillowView grand opening

Oct 23, 2015 | 5:13 PM

The Headstart on a Home program officially began in Prince Albert with the opening of the WillowView Condominiums on Friday.

The program has financed more than $400 million in entry-level housing construction across the province.

The Government of Saskatchewan and the City of Prince Albert partnered with program in an effort to create more affordable homes in the city.

“We’ve had attainable housing, but we need affordable housing,” Mayor Greg Dionne said at the grand opening. “That’s what we were lacking. When the spike of the real estate came, we stopped using the word affordable and started using the word attainable. At the end of the day we need affordable.”

Down payment assistance in the form of grants have been made available for first time home owners interested in moving into WillowView.

There are three types of down payment assistance options including a $15,000 non-repayable grant – $5,000 from the province and $10,000 from the city. There are also 16 $2,500 non-repayable grants made available by the city, and an option for buyers to borrow their five per cent down payment with the Credit Unions of Saskatchewan.

The 63-condominium building is located at the intersection of 15th Street and 15th Ave. E.

Construction of what was originally called the Blackstone began in late 2011. After the original owner, East Windermere became insolvent and went into receivership last year, local construction firm Miller Contracting took over to finish the project.

The building is still looking for its first occupants.

 

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow