CALL TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS URGENT NEED FOR NORTHERN HOUSING

Municipal Government Minister Ed Tchorzewski called upon the federal
government today to address the urgent need for housing in northern
Saskatchewan communities. Tchorzewski raised the issue of northern
housing during a meeting with Ministers Responsible for Local
Government at a provincial-territorial conference being held in
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Effective December 31, 1993, the federal government terminated all new
housing construction under off-reserve social housing programs across
Canada. From 1991 to 1993 the federal and provincial governments cost-
shared the provision of 858 off-reserve social housing units in urban
and rural Saskatchewan.

"Northern Saskatchewan has been particularly hard hit by federal off-
loading with more than 600 families in 33 communities waiting for
housing right now," Tchorzewski said. "The community of La Loche for
example has nearly 160 families in need of social housing."

"Without federal funding and a specific program in place, the
Province's ability to address the need for social housing in
Saskatchewan is restricted to working with existing housing."
Tchorzewski urged the federal government not to cut back on programs
targeted to those most in need of assistance in our society.



Tchorzewski intends to raise this issue later this year when he meets
with Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Housing.



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For more information:

Maureen Boyle
Municipal Government
Communications
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-5959