Construction begins on new supportive housing project in Regina

Construction is underway on a new 29-unit supportive housing project in northeast Regina for families and those who experience homelessness and housing insecurity.

The name of the project is Home Fire, which is based on an Indigenous concept and teaching that encourages growth and stability for individuals and families within one’s sacred space.

Silver Sage is in charge of the project and has been a leader in housing and providing Indigenous people in urban areas with safe and affordable housing options across southern Saskatchewan.

President and CEO Natoshia Bastien says the company wants to build these projects so it can empower people to move along the line of independence.

“It’s important for people to lift up other people,” she said in a media release. “It’s about empowering people and providing them with a safe space to live, combined with wraparound supports to motivate individual and family success.”

The project has received money from all levels of government and will cost just under $10 million.

Of that total, $7.8 million came from the Rapid Housing Initiative, part of the federal government’s National Housing Strategy. It’s the first project in the Queen City to use the initiative for a project.

“Cultural shelter is sacred space,” Bastien stated. “That’s where we go to retreat from the outside world, to rest, grow, and nurture ourselves and our families. Housing is both a social safety net and economic driver. Silver Sage is proud to lead this initiative.”

The Canadian government plans to spend $72 billion over the next 10 years with the Rapid Housing Initiative program to give more Canadians a place to call home.

The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation pledged $783,000 through the Saskatchewan Co-Investment Program. The City of Regina contributed $575,000 from the Permanent Supportive Housing Capital Grant and $615,000 through the Affordable Housing Incentive Program.

Work on the project is expected to be completed by next August.

Deborah Bryden, the city’s executive director of city planning and community development, said the project will address some of the housing needs of the Queen City.

“In order for people to move forward in a positive way with their lives, the first critical step is to provide stable housing,” she explained. “We look forward to having 29 new units available for individuals and families in need and taking this large step towards ending homelessness in our city.”