Three levels of government and a Metis housing authority have joined forces to provide affordable new housing for six families on the edge of Regina’s trendy Cathedral neighbourhood.
Construction will begin immediately and the first tenants will be moving in within a year.
The total cost of the project will be around $1.8 million. This morning, sod was turned for the large townhouse. It will contain six units, ranging from two to four bedrooms.
The province and the federal government will provide about $800,000, the city will contribute about $90,000, while Garbriel Housing — which will own and manage the project — is contributing about $900,000.
Gabriel Housing CEO Doug Moran says the project offers more than just a roof over someone’s head — it will include support services for families to help them with employment, education and training.
“You know, it depends on the family and what kind of services they need,” he says. “Maybe they need some financial planning help, maybe some help with their children, all that kind of service. Not that they are special, but because we want to provide them with the kind of services so they can be successful.”
Regina mayor Michael Fougere says this type of housing development solves a couple of problems. First, it gets rid of some of the vacant lots owned by the city — and secondly, it helps meet the needs of a growing city with a diverse population.
“We are a growing city, we have many people moving into our city all the time and we have growing needs,” he says. “But not everybody prospers at the same speed or same level of others. Affordable housing is the way you stabilize a neighbourhood and continue to grow your city.”
While Aboriginal tenants will be given priority, the rental units are available to anyone who qualifies. The rents will be at or below market value.