About Us

Our Goal

SHIP’s goal is to foster the provision of safe, permanent, affordable, appropriate and secure housing for the residents of Saskatoon and its surrounding communities because housing is the necessary foundation for building healthy, well-educated, creative and economically viable neighbourhoods and communities.

The Work of the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership

The City of Saskatoon is facing continued pressure to help supply appropriate and affordable housing units for low income families, first time buyers and seniors on fixed incomes. Saskatoon's continued growth has created an urgent need to respond to changing demographics and increased housing prices with initiatives that will help create more appropriate and affordable housing. Permanent, affordable, appropriate, safe and secure housing is the necessary foundation for building healthy, well educated, creative and economically viable neighbourhoods.

In order to achieve this goal, developers and home builders may need to be accommodated for providing affordable housing units. Reassessing and re-evaluating policies regarding the development charges and increase levies, fees and transaction costs may also help to significantly reduce the costs incurred by home buyers and renters.

Recent consultations with City administration, home builders, non-profit housing providers and the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) indicate that incentives and policy changes are not the only answer. Traditional non-profit housing providers, faith based organizations and other housing providers require assistance to develop business plans for affordable housing. Skilled human resources available to assist housing providers in developing plans, procuring sites, applying for government programs and incentives are also crucial.

SHIP has been involved with affordable housing issues and projects since 1999 and has worked with the private sector, builders and developers, along with affordable housing groups to assist with delivering affordable units in Saskatoon. Using the network that SHIP has developed to address housing issues in the City, SHIP is able to call upon its network and contacts within the residential construction industry, financial institutions, engineering consultants and firms, and non-profit organizations (among others) to work on proposed projects. The Development Services team and the Board Directors of SHIP are able to provide guidance and direction on various projects that come forward. Few organizations exist that bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, couples with relationships with government, business and community like SHIP has.