Stalled North Central housing project transferred to City of Regina

A delayed rapid housing build in Regina's North Central neighbourhood is moving forward under city control after added funding. Wayne Mantyka reports.

It has been nearly three years since announcement of a 30 unit rapid housing project at Angus Street and 5th Avenue.

A year and a half into construction, government and donor funding ran out. Construction was 75 per cent complete when construction stopped for one year.

The 30 supportive housing units were to have been operated by the North Central Family Centre but the project has now been transferred to the City of Regina.

“It was the best path forward for us and we are just very happy that the project will be completed and then they will do an RFP out to find a new operator for the project,” said Kim Wenger, Executive Director, North Central Family Centre.

Work has since resumed with a $3 million injection from the City approved in December.

In a written statement, the City said it worked together with the North Central Family Centre to reach an agreement to transfer the project and property.

“The City appreciates all the work North Central Family Centre has done on the project,” the statement read. “$1.5 million that the family centre raised from donors will remain in the project.”

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“We need to focus on what we’re doing here,” Wenger noted. “We’re certainly very busy and you know we’re very community people minded and so we just feel it might be best for somebody with that experience to come in and operate the building.”

The North Central Family Centre will not seek to be the operator of the building when the city calls for applicants.

It’s pleased that the project will be used for the intended purpose and will support whatever organization is chosen.