Co-housing project under construction in North Battleford
- EFN Staff | August 24, 2018
The Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan, along with the Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (BIMFC), officially announced the start of construction of an eight-room co-housing project, including support services, for individuals who are considered hard-to-house in North Battleford.
Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), Ryan Bater, Mayor of the City of North Battleford and Jackie Kennedy, Executive Director of BIMFC, made the announcement on August 23, 2018.
“The Supported Rooming House model will provide long-term housing for eight hard-to-house individuals with supervision and supports to help break the cycle of homelessness,” Kennedy said in a media release. “We would like to acknowledge all the funders that supported this project: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the City of North Battleford and Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Community Development Corporation. We look forward to embracing our future together and empowering one another to seek safer healthier lives.”
The federal and provincial governments, through CMHC and SHC, are providing $580,000 towards this project under the federal/provincial 2014-2019 Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement. BIMFC has received a $130,000 Community Development Corporation grant from the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs for this project and an additional $10,000 has been approved by CMHC.
The project consists of the construction of an eight-bedroom bungalow of approximately 3,350 ft and will include a developed basement. Three of the bedrooms will be accessible and one bathroom will be fully accessible. This project is part of the investment supports the Saskatchewan Housing Strategy and Poverty Reduction Strategy.
“Our Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy will cut the number of Canadians living in poverty in half because every Canadian deserves a real and fair chance to succeed,” said Goodale. “Affordable housing projects like this one in North Battleford are an important part of the strategy…they are key to help break the cycle of homelessness and to a better life for the residents who will call them home.”
Merriman, a member of the provincial government, said this vision will help improve the lives of some of Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable individuals.
“Our government shares this goal, and we are excited to support this project,” said Merriman. “The vulnerable individuals who will soon have a place to call home with the support services they require.”
This project will provide safe housing for up to eight hard-to-house individuals, along with the supervision and support they need to help break the cycle of homelessness. The project is located within walking distance of the Friendship Centre, at 1132 98th Street in North Battleford.