City selects North Central Family Centre to lead housing initiative

The North Central Family Centre has been chosen to lead Regina’s new Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI).

In a media release Thursday, the City of Regina announced the North Central Family Centre will lead the “delivery and operation” of the initiative. The affordable housing project proposed by the centre is a 30-unit, multi-family residential building to be located in the North Central neighbourhood.

“The North Central Family Centre is eager and ready to play our part to increase the availability of safe and affordable housing for residents in our community,” Kim Wenger, the executive director of the North Central Family Centre, said in the release.

“With our 20-year history within the North Central neighbourhood, this project is a stepping stone in expanding our contribution in addressing the needs and barriers that the community has always expressed to us.

“This project is more than a building, it’s about community pride, connection, inclusion, sharing and hope and will serve as a model for future housing growth.”

The city said it received $6.6 million from the federal government to develop new affordable rental units in the city. The money comes from the RHI Cities Stream, which is administered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

According to the release, the city and North Central Family Centre will be submitting a proposal to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation by March 15. After the proposal is approved, the building must be ready for occupancy within 18 months, which is expected to be late 2024.

The city said the North Central Family Centre is finalizing the purchase of land where the building will be located.