In July, 2007, Saskatoon’s City Council established a target of 500 affordable dwelling units annually, to be achieved with the participation and partnership of numerous sectors including: government-supported providers, financial institutions, developers, investors and faith-based groups. The Housing Business Plan – 2012 describes programs and initiatives that the City is pursuing in order to achieve this target.

Current Programs

• Equity Building Program
  The Equity Building Program assists households with incomes between $44,500 and $70,000 with the purchase of an entry level home. Eligible households receive a down payment loan for 5% of the purchase price which must be re-paid over a five year period. Homebuyers must be currently renting in Saskatoon and can purchase any home in the city that is priced between $180,000 and $280,000.

  The Equity Building Program is offered in partnership with Affinity Credit Union. For more information on the Equity Building Program please contact Affinity Credit Union at (306) 934-4000 or 1-866-863-6237  

  Click Here, for answers to frequently asked questions in the community about the Equity Building Program.  

• Land Pre-Designation Program
  The City identifies sites in new City-owned neighbourhoods for housing that can be provided at low price points for affordable and entry-level ownership opportunities. Once identified, these sites are made available to housing providers through a Request For Proposals (RFPs) process.  

• Capital Funding
  Eligible affordable housing projects qualify for funding assistance in the form of a cash grant of 10% of the total project costs.
  Application form
  
  
• Property Tax Abatement
  Any affordable rental project that is provided on a non-profit basis is eligible to receive a 5-year abatement of the incremental increase in property taxes. Housing providers must apply to the Planning and Development Branch for the above incentives. Application form
  
  
• Direct Sale of City-owned Land for Affordable Housing Projects
  The City has a policy in place that permits the direct sale of City-owned land to non-profit housing providers for specific affordable housing projects. Housing providers must apply to the Planning and Development Branch for consideration for a direct sale. Application form
  
  
• Priority Review of Approved Affordable Housing Projects
  Permit applications for affordable housing projects benefit from a priority review process which means that the reviewing branches and departments review these applications first. In order to receive Priority Review status, a housing project must be approved under at least one of the three programs above.
  
  
• Permit Rebates for Secondary Suites
  To encourage the creation of new and the legalizing of existing secondary suites, the City will rebate permit fees for building, plumbing, and development permits as well as a portion of the Legalizing an Existing Suite (LES) Occupancy Permit fee (75% in 2009 and 2010, 50% in 2011, and 25% in 2012). Homeowners who wish to obtain rebates of permit fees for the construction of a new or the legalization of an existing secondary suite must have a valid building permit or be engaged in the LES process and must apply to the Planning and Development Branch. The rebate program is effective from January 1, 2008.
  Application form
  
  The City’s permit rebates complement the Secondary Suite Program offered by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. Home owners who build or renovate a secondary suite are eligible to apply for a forgivable loan of 50% of construction costs up to $30,000.
  SHC Secondary Suite Program

Proposed Programs

• Bonuses for Inclusionary Housing
  The City is undertaking consultations to implement a bonus provision in the zoning bylaw to encourage inclusion of affordable and entry-level housing in new housing developments.
   Status: pending.