NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN — Eight new affordable homes for Métis residents have opened across five northern Saskatchewan communities.
Wynter Philip, acting director of housing and homelessness with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S), told SaskToday the first phase includes two homes in Bear Creek, one in Black Point, one in Michel Village, two in St. George's Hill and two in Turnor Lake.
The communities were identified by regional and local representatives based on housing needs, Philip said. Tenants are selected by a committee through MN-S property management.
Philip said the eight homes cost $1.9 million and were funded through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
The units are intended to provide affordable housing, but rents are not geared to individual household incomes.
"Rent is not based on household income. These are affordable homes, and we aim to be at least 30 per cent lower than market rental rates," Philip said.
The housing initiative has also created opportunities to involve Métis businesses and people learning skilled trades. Philip said Métis contractors, Métis-owned businesses and a Métis workforce are prioritized when contractors are selected through a public request for proposals process.
Two of the eight homes in the first phase were built by students learning trades through a partnership involving Dumont Technical Institute and Northlands College, administered by Lotus Learning Solutions, Philip said.
The next phase will add 12 tiny homes in three northern communities: six in La Loche, three in Buffalo Narrows and three in Cumberland House. One home in each community will be accessible, according to Philip.
A Sept. 23 joint government release subsequently put the total project cost at $3.26 million. The release states $1.5 million will come jointly from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan through the National Housing Strategy — Saskatchewan Priorities Initiative, with MN-S contributing $1.58 million. The project is being delivered with Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and is expected to be completed in spring 2027.
The 12 units are intended as affordable rental housing for single Métis citizens with low incomes, according to the provincial announcement.
Philip said the northern developments are part of a broader slate of housing projects MN-S has underway or in planning across Saskatchewan.
"Projects in progress include rent-to-own rowhouses in Prince Albert, an accessible duplex in La Ronge, student housing in Regina, transitional housing in Saskatoon and Regina, elders' housing in Indian Head, and more in planning," Philip said.
