The Northern Village of Île-à-la-Crosse is welcoming new funding to build affordable housing.
Earlier this week the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) announced a commitment of over $1 million to build eight new affordable housing units in the northern village.
Île-à-la-Crosse mayor Duane Favel told MBC Radio News the additional funding is something he is happy to see.
“Housing is always a top priority, I think for all northern municipalities and certainly the funding announcement through the MN-S is actually important to us,” he said.
To build the new housing units Favel explained the MN-S will be working alongside the northern village’s economic development agency, Sakitawak Development Corporation (SDC). Favel explained SDC is responsible for development and management of public housing in Île-à-la-Crosse and said the corporation is taking the lead to work with MN-S on the project.
“This really helps and supports what they’re (SDC’s) doing there,” he said.
When it comes to construction, the mayor said they are hoping to have sod turning ceremonies in the spring with the project finished sometime in the fall. Favel said they are hopeful about the timeline, but are aware that supply chain issues have the potential to cause problems.
Overall Favel said the community is growing and that housing has been an issue in the northern village for sometime. He said community members are happy whenever work can be done to make more housing available.
“We extremely appreciate anytime we can get support when it comes to subdivision and housing within the community,” said Favel.
(The Northern Village of Île-à-la-Crosse. Photo Courtesy of Sakitawak Development Corporation Facebook page.)