Families with housing needs in Meadow Lake will have a greater chance at improved living conditions, thanks to the more than $2 million investment from the province. (submitted photo/Meadow Lake Native Urban Housing)

By Josh Ryan

Addressing housing

$2 million going to affordable housing in Meadow Lake

Sep 23, 2020 | 4:05 PM

A federal and provincial investment in affordable housing for families in need is impacting four communities, including Meadow Lake.

The Canadian and Saskatchewan governments are combining to provide more than $4.3 million for six housing projects. In addition to initiatives for Saskatoon, Île-à-la-Crosse and La Loche, more than $2 million will go to projects for Meadow Lake groups.

Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Paul Merriman said they were pleased to support the Saskatoon youth centre EGADZ and their national partners in providing affordable housing for Saskatchewan people.

“We are pleased to support EGADZ’s vital mission to help vulnerable children, youth and their families improve their quality of life, which includes having access to safe, affordable housing,” he said. “These initiatives are wonderful examples of partnerships in action to help Saskatchewan families find a place to call home and focus on their future.”

This investment is part of the federal government’s National Housing Strategy (NHS), a 10-year, $55 billion plan intended to create 125,000 new housing units and as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units.

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“Every Canadian deserves a home that meets their needs and they can afford,” Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen said. “[This] announcement under the National Housing Strategy ensures more Saskatchewan residents will have homes that are suitable for their family’s needs and helps build more inclusive communities where Canadians can build and thrive.”

A total of $775,000 will go to Meadow Lake Native Urban Housing to develop four units of affordable housing to vulnerable families through the KidsFirst Housing Project, while the Meadow Lake Tribal Council receives $1.33 million to reopen the Wakoosis Safe Shelter. The shelter has six bedrooms of emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Meadow Lake MLA and Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said he was pleased to see these investments in the area.

“Our government is committed to improving the quality of life for all Saskatchewan residents and these investments will increase the number of safe, affordable places that vulnerable families can stay,” Harrison said.

Lauri Bell, Manager of Meadow Lake Native Urban Housing, said they were incredibly excited and grateful for the investment. Work on the project has been ongoing since March.

“It’s [important] to help families most in need,” she said. “Meadow Lake is short on affordable housing.”

Bell said this will better position the community to help those less fortunate in the future overall. Their partnership with KidsFirst has been critical, highlighting the living conditions many have to deal with.

“Really substandard housing, so it’s a great project to help the families of Meadow Lake,” Bell said.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports