Last week, in time for the provincial election, Saskatchewan’s housing leaders unveiled Secure Homes, Strong Future: A Housing Policy Blueprint for Saskatchewan. The report names these leaders as:
- Cameron Choquette, chief executive officer, Saskatchewan Landlord Association
- Stu Niebergall, chief executive officer, Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association
- Nicole Burgess, chief executive officer, Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association
- Chris Guérette chief executive officer, Saskatchewan Realtors Association
The blueprint, grounded in grassroots consultations and expert research within the housing industry, offers key insights and recommendations aimed at strengthening housing in Saskatchewan.
‘Ideas to build more affordable homes faster by improving affordability, unlocking development, lowering construction costs & setting the stage’
With a rapidly growing population, the province’s housing industry — including construction, rental and real estate — faces a large gap in inventory. The new policy outlines a comprehensive plan that emphasizes policy reforms and funding investments to meet this increasing demand and ensure adequate housing for Saskatchewan’s future residents.
“Saskatchewan continues to attract, house and employ people at record levels — a growing province means more housing units are required to ensure that the Saskatchewan advantage remains intact,” state the named Saskatchewan housing leaders.
“Our plan proposes common-sense ideas to build more affordable homes faster by improving affordability, unlocking development, lowering construction costs and setting the stage for the future.”
Four priority areas & recommendations for political party consideration
The blueprint is structured around four priority areas, each containing recommendations for provincial political parties to consider in shaping the future of housing:
1. Enhancing affordability and reducing housing costs
- Adjustments to the PST for affordable home construction
- Reinstating the Home Renovation Tax Credit
- Permanently implementing the Secondary Suite Incentive (SSI) Program
- Avoiding added costs through changes to codes and regulations
2. Building more homes faster
- Conducting an audit of underused government properties for affordable housing
- Providing provincial support for infill development
- Supporting infrastructure that enables housing growth
3. Stronger provincial leadership on housing
- Establishing a Provincial Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure
4. Supporting rental housing providers and protecting tenants
- Improving efficiency in rental housing provider-tenant dispute resolution
- Strengthening mechanisms for collecting rent arrears and damage costs
Review the full blueprint .
