Housing Initiatives Benefit Northerners

Housing Initiatives Benefit Northerners

Friday, April 20, 2007 at 21:21

 

 

The federal government is paving the way for more home ownership on reserve.

 

Today, Indian Affairs minister Jim Prentice announced the department is pouring $300 million into the creation of a first nation’s market housing fund.

 

INAC says the resource will be a market-based approach that could help provide twenty-five thousand housing units over the next decade.

 

It was originally announced in the 2007 budget.

 

Meanwhile, the minister for Community Resources says $8 million will be spent on affordable housing initiatives in the north.

 

The government announced the money yesterday.

 

Saying the funds will come out of the Premier’s 100 million dollar pledge to revitalize Saskatchewan neighborhoods.

 

Belanger says too many residents in the north are without stable homes.

 

Belanger says his department will work closely with communities to put the money to good use.

 

He says young adults at risk, youth and low-income families are among the government’s priorities.