Programs and Resources

for Buyers & Renters

 

Click here for a List of Affordable Housing Providers in Saskatoon

  

Affordable Home Purchase Programs

City of Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon provides programs to assist  households with incomes below $70,000. These programs include:

  • Equity Building Program (FAQs) assists households with incomes between $44,500 and $70,000 with the purchase of an entry level home. Eligible households receive a down payment loan for 5% of the purchase price which must be re-paid over a five year period. Contact Affinity Credit Union at (306) 934-4000 or 1-866-863-6237 for more information.

  • Mortgage Flexibilities Program offers a 5% down payment grant from the City of Saskatoon and mortgage loan insurance from CMHC or Genworth Financial, such that qualified homebuyers will have the means to finance the purchase of a new home. Private homebuilders provide new units that can be sold at prices that households with incomes below the Maximum Income Limits can afford. Total household income of the buyer must meet the provincial Maximum Income Limits of $52,500 (Singles and Couples) or  $60,000 (Households with Dependents).  Only homes in designated projects qualify for this program.

Phone: (306) 975-3340
Email 
Website

  

Rental Programs

Affordable Housing Rentals - Subsidized rental housing for low-to-moderate income families and seniors based on availability and need.  This program is administered by the Saskatoon Housing Authority.

Social Housing Rental Program (SHRP) - Provides suitable, adequate and affordable rental housing for low-income seniors, families, and persons with a disability

Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement (SRHS) - helps low-to-moderate income families and individuals to access quality and affordable housing. It includes the Family Rental Housing Supplement and the Disability Rental Housing Supplement.


 

Repairs and Renovations Programs

* Please note that the Province of Saskatchewan fully cost-matches the federal investments in affordable housing for 2011-14, and delivers provincially-designed housing programs.  For more information about affordable housing programs in Saskatchewan, please contact the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation in Saskatoon at (306) 933-6292 or toll-free 1-866-245-5758.

For Low-Income Homeowners

  • Homeowner RRAP* - financial assistance to low-income homeowners for mandatory home repairs that will preserve the quality of affordable housing. The program helps people who live in substandard dwellings and cannot afford to pay for necessary repairs to their home.  More information from CMHC is available here.

 

For Emergency Repairs

  • Emergency Repair Program (ERP)* - Provides financial assistance to low-income households in rural areas to undertake emergency repairs required to ensure the continued safe occupancy of their homes.
  • Saskatchewan Emergency Repair Program (SERP)* - Provides financial assistance to low-income households located in urban areas to under take emergency repairs required to ensure the continued safe occupancy of their homes.

 

For Seniors Supported Living 

 

For Individuals with a Disability   

  • RAP - Disabilities* - Provides financial assistance to low-income households to complete modifications required to accommodate the needs of a household member with a disability.  More information from CMHC is available here.

 

Energy Efficiency 

 

Secondary Suites

  • RRAP - Secondary Suites Program* - Provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners and rental property owners to construct or renovate secondary suites. This helps increase the supply of affordable housing for low-to-moderate income people.
  • HomeFirst Secondary Suites Program - offered by Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. Home owners who build or renovate a secondary suite are eligible to apply for a forgivable loan of 50% of construction costs up to $24,000.
  • Permit Rebates for Secondary Suites - To encourage the creation of new and the legalizing of existing secondary suites, the City of Saskatoon offers permit fees rebates for building, plumbing, and development permits as well as a portion of the legalizing and Existing Suite (LES) Occupancy Permit fee. Homeowners who wish to obtain rebates of permit fees for the construction of a new or the legalization of an existing secondary suit must have a valid building permit or be engaged in the LES process and must apply to the City Planning Branch. Application Form 

 

 

Resources

  • Housing Handbook - Contains useful contact information and highlights programs designed to help low to moderate income people search for affordable places to rent or purchase.
  • Tenant Relations - Educates social housing tenants about safety, security and crime prevention, and supports the establishment and operation of tenant associations.

  

About the Program Providers

 

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

CMHC provides mortgage loan flexibilities for buyers purchasing units in approved affordable housing development projects. These flexibilities include longer mortgages to allow smaller monthly payments, and assist homebuyers by allowing a broader range of down payment options, such as: sweat equity, grants, borrowed down payments, and rent-to-own payments.

A variety of financial assistance programs are available and made possible by CMHC. Many of these programs are administered by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and include financial assistance for homeowners looking to undertake renovations, adaptations or repairs as well as assistance landlords that manage multi-unit residential properties that are in need of renovations, adaptations or repairs.

For a complete list of the programs and assistance made possible through the efforts of CMHC and administered by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, refer to the sections above. Note that programs change frequently. Please contact the CMHC, SHC, or SHIP for further information.

 

Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC)

Saskatchewan Housing Corporation provides funding for a number of ongoing and new housing programs and services for low to moderate-income households, and sometimes landlords, with an identified need. Assistance may be in the form of a forgivable or repayable loan, or may be a grant. Programs include social and affordable rental housing, home renovations, repairs and energy retrofit programs, home adaptations programs, supports to independent living for seniors, and homeownership options.

Please Note: The federal government has committed funding for affordable housing until 2014. An agreement is in place with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation for Saskatchewan to cost match and deliver the federal investments in affordable housing for 2011-14. Under a new agreement, the Province of Saskatchewan will fully cost-match the federal funding and deliver provincially-designed housing programs. For more information about affordable housing programs in Saskatchewan, please contact the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation in Saskatoon at (306) 933-6292 or toll-free 1-866-245-5758.

 

City of Saskatoon

The City of Saskatoon plays an important role in encouraging and facilitating the creation of housing in Saskatoon. While the City does not build housing, it administers a number of programs designed to assist housing providers to increase the housing supply. The City of Saskatoon's role and action plan in the housing area is described in detail in the Housing Business Plan 2009. To access the City of saskatoon housing portal click here.

 

Affordable New Home Development Foundation

The Foundation targets individuals and families with annual household incomes of $52,000 or less. Families and individuals in this income range are often paying rents approximately equivalent to monthly principal and interest payments; however, because of real or perceived barriers, they are not able to purchase a home through the normal channels. The Foundation works with people to help overcome these barriers, leading to the purchase of a new home.