A new 24-unit affordable rental housing project for families held its official opening Friday in Yorkton.
Parkland Prairie Place was built at a cost of about $5 million, with more than $3.2 million provided by the province through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and approximately $1.8 million by the Yorkton Parkland Housing Society. The project was undertaken by Yorkton Parkland Housing Society (YPHS), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the housing conditions of low-income people in the Yorkton Parkland region.
George Cote, manager of the YPHS said the opening was a major one for the Society."It's a dream come true," said Cote. "We've really worked at this."
Cote said the tenants are the big beneficiaries.
"The tenants are so happy," he said. "They're so amazed by the quality of housing they are in now They feel safe and healthy now."
In a release on the opening Cote added, "This project meets a real need for safe, affordable housing in this community."
The units help to address some of the need for housing, said Cote, who noted families began moving in March 1.
"It's full occupancy now," he said, adding there is still a waiting list of more than 100 families seeking housing through the YPHS.
"It (the new facility) helps alleviate some of the need, but we need more," he said.
Cote said the YPHS is looking toward another project, although it may be a ways in the future."We're looking at other opportunities," he said.
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said quality housing is important and the province's involvement in the project shows it is dedicated to helping the situation.
"Affordable, quality housing is a necessity for everyone regardless of income," said Ottenbreit in a release where he responded on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Donna Harpauer. "Our government is pleased to help provide funding for this much-needed project in Yorkton and, most importantly, help make life better for families in need of housing."
Located at 31 Duncan Street West, the project consists of three eight-unit, two-storey apartment buildings, each containing four two-bedroom and four three-bedroom units. One of the two-bedroom units in each building is accessible for persons with a disability.
