Two new projects aim to ease Saskatchewan’s housing crunch for vulnerable residents
Two new affordable housing projects have opened in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, offering a lifeline to young families and those affected by interpersonal violence.
The Young Families’ and Miakoda projects, developed through a partnership between all levels of government and the Prince Albert Community Housing Society Inc. (PACHSI), will provide 13 new homes and vital support services for residents facing some of the province’s steepest housing challenges.
Federal, provincial, and local collaboration
The Miakoda project features eight one- and two-bedroom apartments in a low-rise building, with a dedicated common space for programming. The Young Families’ project, a five-plex, is designed specifically for young families. All units are expected to be tenanted this fall.
“Our new government is providing communities across Saskatchewan with the support they need to build affordable housing, fast and efficiently. These two housing projects in Prince Albert will provide much-needed homes for residents in need of a helping hand,” said the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development) and Member of Parliament for Denesthé–Missinippi–Churchill River.
Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty emphasized the urgency of safe housing for at-risk groups: “Transitional and affordable housing, like the Miakoda project in Prince Albert, are crucial for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people and their families that are at an increased risk of interpersonal violence in our country. When community groups and different levels of government come together, housing projects such as this one can happen quickly, and effectively meet the needs of the community.”
Addressing urgent needs
Joanne Moison, Manager of PACHSI, highlighted the acute need for affordable options: “With the substantial increase in rental rates, it is very difficult to find family housing at all, let alone affordable housing for young families just starting out. PACHSI’s also partnered with CMHC, SHC, ISC, LFMO, and the City of Prince Albert for women and children leaving domestic violence. Without financial assistance from all levels of Government, construction of units such as these would be impossible to keep affordable for those most in need.”
The projects are part of the broader National Housing Strategy (NHS), a $115 billion, decade-long initiative aiming to increase affordable housing supply across Canada.
As of June 2025, the federal government has committed $69.62 billion to support the creation of over 170,700 units and the repair of more than 322,300 units, prioritizing those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, and women and children fleeing violence.
The bigger picture
The opening of these projects comes as housing affordability remains a pressing concern across Canada.
According to the Saskatchewan Realtors Association, home prices continued to rise across the province for the fifth consecutive month. Estevan led with a 15% year-over-year jump in benchmark price, followed by Humboldt at 14%. Melfort, Weyburn, Moose Jaw, and Prince Albert also saw double-digit gains.
TD Economics, meanwhile, said that Saskatchewan led the country with annual home price growth exceeding 10% in half of 2025’s first eight months, buoyed by strong job gains and tight supply.
With the new developments in Prince Albert, stakeholders hope to set a precedent for future collaborations that address both immediate needs and long-term housing stability.
As Terry Jenson, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, put it: “These projects support individuals who are rebuilding their lives, recognizing the critical role that housing plays in creating security and opportunity. Thanks to this important work, thirteen families will have the stability that a home provides.”
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