Province highlighting boosts to Saskatchewan housing support funding

A six rowhouse unit at Regency Gardens in Regina has finished renovations. The $3.35 million investment was made in partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan and Canada’s National Housing Strategy Community Housing Initiative. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News)

The provincial government is upping the amount of support it gives to people through the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit.

The program is a monthly benefit that helps eligible renters cover costs. It also helps people seeking safety from intimate partner violence, those living in supportive housing and low-to-moderate income households.

This year’s provincial budget saw a $3.2 million increase to the program, with the seeking safety from Interpersonal Violence stream receiving the largest boost.

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The province says it is doubling the monthly flat-rate benefit to cover rent and utilities, with benefit amounts being based on household size.

Under the new rates, singles will now receive $450 per month while households with one dependant will get $550 per month. Households with two or more dependants will receive $650 per month.

New eligible clients of the program’s IPV stream will also get a one-time benefit to help them secure a new place to live safely and independently.

The Saskatchewan Housing Benefit’s (SHB) Supportive Housing Stream also had its monthly benefit boosted by 40 per cent. That means a new benefit of $315 per month for single individuals, $385 per month for households with one dependant and $455 per month for households with two or more dependants.

Supportive housing beneficiaries also receive services for mental health conditions, addictions and behavioural issues that can affect their ability to find stable housing.

Lastly, the SHB’s Core Stream helps support people with low to moderate incomes across Saskatchewan. Monthly benefits for this stream have increased by 20 per cent.

Singles or couples that spend between 35 and 45 per cent of their income on shelter costs receive benefits ranging from $210 to $330, depending on the size of their household.

Those spending over 45 per cent of their income on shelter costs receive between $270 and $390 per month, also based on household size.

Over 5,000 households receive the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit as of July 1, 2026. Nearly 3,500 are in the Core Stream while more than 1,300 are in the Supportive Housing Stream, with 160 in the Seeking Safety Stream.

More than 10,000 people in total have received the benefit since the program began in April 2020.

The benefit is co-funded by the federal and provincial governments under the National Housing Strategy Bilateral Agreement.

The province cost-matches the federal contribution, including a federal investment of $10 million for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Saskatchewan.