Local dignitaries including Mayor Greg Dionne and MLAs Alana Ross and Joe Hargrave joined the Prince Albert Community Housing Society to officially start the construction of 11 new affordable units for seniors. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Housing

P.A. Housing to add 11 new units for seniors

Apr 28, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Affordable and accessible, two important words for the seniors who will be eligible to live in one of 11 new housing units that will be built in Prince Albert this summer.

Linda Boyer, the outgoing general manager at Prince Albert Community Housing, said that the need has been apparent for some time.

“Because of the funding we received, we are able to keep the rent very low for Indigenous elders,” said Boyer.

The people who live in the units will be those who have no or little Canada Pension Plan income. It is difficult to live from Old Age Security money alone, she said.

“The rents will be kept low for those Indigenous elders who are most in need,” Boyer explained.

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It will cost about $3.1 million to build the units, a five-plex in one location and six-plex in another. The buildings located at 1492-7th Street East and 656-20th Street East should be ready to move in by late fall or spring next year.

The largest portion of funding at $2.5 million is coming from the federal government’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund, administered by the CMHC.

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion. “Today’s announcement reflects our ongoing collaboration with all orders of government to deliver meaningful results and increased affordability for Canadians.”

Another $300,000 will come from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, $250,000 from Community Housing itself, $66,000 was sourced from SEED Funding and the Prince Albert Affordable Housing Trust added $30,000.

Buildings such as the new units fill a gap in the housing market in the city, said Mayor Greg Dionne.

“I would encourage the government to fund more of these projects and a bigger share,” Dionne said.

Both buildings will be one story. The first building will have three two-bedroom units and three one bedroom apartments.

In the five-plex, there will be two two-bedroom apartments and three one bedroom units.

Residents will have the help of family services, the Métis local and the health region with chances to socialize while still getting help with homekeeping and Meals on Wheels.

MLA Alana Ross said it was important for the province to support the initiative.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to support this project that allows people to live independently in their community,” Ross said. “Our government will continue to work with partners to meet our commitment to improve housing affordability and better support people and families in greatest housing need.”

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com