Doug Kinar (left) and Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross (right) hold the ribbon to be cut, opening a new four-unit low-income housing unit. (Rob Mahon/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Affordable Housing

New low-cost housing unit for those with mental illness opens

Jun 7, 2023 | 4:00 PM

A need for affordable housing in Prince Albert, particularly for those facing mental illness, has seen the Canadian Mental Health Association convert several four-plexes into low-income housing. Their latest efforts were officially unveiled on 27^th Street East.

Four new apartments were officially opened today, with three of them already being occupied. The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation provided $450,000 to the project through the Canada–Saskatchewan Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.

“It’s a little bit of relief now that it’s open and we can enjoy summer without the stress of the renovations ongoing,” said Doug Kinar, executive director of the CMHA in Prince Albert. “We’ve been going through the renovation process with four buildings being built. It’s quite a process over the last 10 years, so it’s a chance to relax.”

Kinar can see the need for more affordable housing almost every day as he works from the CMHA branch on Central Avenue in Prince Albert. For those facing mental illness, it’s important to have not only low-cost housing but more understanding landlords.

“We don’t worry about late rent because we know it’s coming, it’s just a matter of being patient and allowing for any hiccups that may happen along the road,” Kinar said.

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The kitchen area of one of the new basement suites. (Rob Mahon/paNOW Staff)

Among those in attendance was Alana Ross, MLA for Prince Albert Northcote, who was there representing Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Gene Makowsky.

“People need to have safe, affordable housing,” Ross said. “It’s really important, and we see it in government as important that we work with agencies to help provide that service in our communities.”

The CMHA Prince Albert Branch has purchased, renovated, and converted several such housing units over the years, and the demand for more remains. There’s a waiting list of five to 10 people, ranked in order of how severely they need the housing.

“I get phone calls every month wondering if we have any vacancies,” Kinar said. “The interesting part is with the support we provide, the tenants are usually ongoing. In our first apartment block, four out of the eight (tenants) have been there since 2010.”

Kinar added tenants are always thrilled to be told they’re going to be able to move in whenever they open up new housing. He added he consulted with some of the neighbours of the house on 27^th Street East, and their reactions were positive as well.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP