Low-income home projects expand beyond core

Developments destined for city’s western tip

Affordable housing is making a significant move into the Saskatoon suburbs.

Two housing projects with affordable housing components got city council’s blessing at this week’s planning and operations committee meeting.

A 44-unit development and a 66unit development were both approved for the Kensington neighbourhood at the western tip of the city.

“It’s wonderful that we’re able to do this,” Mayor Don Atchison said. “The goal all along has been to have affordable housing throughout the city and not just inside of Circle (Drive).”

Kensington Flats is proposed as a 66-unit apartment-style development that would include 36 units designated as affordable housing.

Low-income homebuyers would be eligible for a city program that provides a five per cent down payment grant.

A grant of $58,200 to support five low-income homebuyers also got support at the meeting.

The development would include several one-bedroom condos for low-income earners — a first for the city.

Kensington Estates is planned as a 44-unit townhouse style development, with 16 units eligible for the five per cent down payment grant program.

The committee voted in favour of a grant of $47,976 to help four low-income earners buy into the project.

Innovative Residential Inc. is planning both projects.

This year’s civic budget provided $1.4 million to help the city achieve its goal of 480 additional affordable homes.