Prince Albert opens 13 new affordable housing units

WATCH: Two more affordable housing projects were unveiled Friday in Prince Albert. All 13 new units will be occupied by tenants this fall.

Two new affordable housing projects were unveiled Friday in Prince Albert.

“This is very much a showcase of where we need to be going, for the city of Prince Albert, for families, for elders and for people transitioning out of very difficult circumstances,” said Mayor Bill Powalinsky.

The projects were developed by the federal and provincial governments in partnership with the Prince Albert Community Housing Society Inc. (PACHSI).

The Young Families project is a five-plex development for four young families and one senior, and the Miakoda project will provide eight one- and two-bedroom apartments to those fleeing interpersonal violence as well a common space for programming.

All 13 units will be occupied by tenants this fall.

• Get the latest news from Saskatoon, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Leisa Warner, housing coordinator for PACHSI, said she still sees more applicants for affordable housing than there are available units.

She said she doesn’t see demand slowing down any time soon.

“I expect the demand to probably get greater. Yes, if we’re not addressing the homelessness and providing the homes for them,”

Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said the federal government has signalled that the Build Canada Homes program will include all types of housing.

“I think the federal government and for sure our government, we would like to expedite projects like this because they are needed throughout the province and throughout Canada,” said Jenson. “That’s hopefully something that we’re going to be able to get a better grasp of come November when the federal budget comes out.”

Mayor Powalinsky said time is of the essence when it comes to housing development, as the new hospital expansion will bring hundreds of jobs to the city.

Next week, city executive council will meet to discuss a zoning amendment that would allow vacant lots to be automatically zoned for up to four residential units.