CITY HOUSING BUSINESS PLAN EXCEEDS 2014 TARGETS

For the second year in a row, the City’s Housing Business Plan has exceeded the targets set by City Council.  The plan supported the creation of 542 new attainable units in 2014.

“Adequate housing is an important part of the City’s Strategic Plan adding to the quality of life for all residents,” says Director of Planning and Development, Alan Wallace.  “It enables young people and newcomers to put down roots and contribute to the growth of our city.”

 The recently released Annual Report on the 2013 – 2022 Housing Business Plan shows the City has slightly exceeded the target for each of the five housing types identified in the plan, with the exception of affordable ownership housing; that target is expected to be met and surpassed this year: 

            Targets and Results Achieved in 2014

 While the plan has helped make improvements throughout 2014, the cost and supply of attainable housing in Saskatoon continued to be a challenge for some low- and moderate-income earners.  The average price of a Saskatoon home was $356,476, and the monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment averaged $1,093.

 “A priority of the City’s Housing Business Plan is to create attainable housing in all areas of the city,” Wallace says.  “In 2014, 82% of the newly created attainable units were located on the east side, including the first purpose-built rental units in the new Evergreen neighbourhood.  These new units are providing attainable housing options in some of Saskatoon’s more expensive neighbourhoods.”

 Approved by City Council in June 2013, the Housing Business Plan contains a variety of incentives and initiatives, which support the creation of attainable housing units across the housing continuum:  from emergency shelters to home ownership units for first-time buyers.

 For more information on the Housing Business Plan and the work the City is doing in this area, visit www.saskatoon.ca/housing or call 306-975-3340.

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