A housing system that works for all people in Saskatchewan must include co-operatives.

What is Rental Assistance?

Rental assistance is a simple way to support low-income households cover the cost of rent. Households receive assistance through an income-tested program administered by co-ops and non-profit housing providers throughout the province. This guarantees that households do not pay more an 30% of their monthly income on rent.

Why are Rental Assistance Programs important?

By bridging the gap between the economic rent and the ability of lower income members to pay, the government can effectively support low-income families and keep them out of core housing need.

Maintaining rent assistance in co-ops is a proven, and cost-effective way to continue to house vulnerable, low-income people in a safe, and dignified environment.

Rental assistance will foster more sustainability in the community housing sector and will directly improve the well-being of the most vulnerable people in the province.

Who needs assistance?

Co-op members accessing assistance include many diverse populations such as seniors, single parent families and those with disabilities. Maintaining stable living conditions and connection to their community should be a key priority for the next Saskatchewan government.

It is central to our co-operative values that co-ops are able to welcome members into their community regardless of income.

Why internal subsidies don’t work

Minister Merriman has recommended co-op members help their neighbours pay rent. The government needs to shoulder the responsibility of assisting low-income households so we can work together to preserve the long-term sustainability of community housing.

Housing co-ops are more efficient for the government in the long run if the co-ops focus on the administration, maintenance of the co-op. We have 50 years of evidence that this model works, and creates a strong sense of community.

What should the next government do to help low-income families?

During this time of increased uncertainty due to the global health crisis, we implore the next government of Saskatchewan to make rental assistance available for low-income families living in non-profit and co-operative housing.

Co-ops are already built for, paid for, and situated within strong communities. By maintaining a rental assistance program, we can help more low-income families live in co-ops across the province.

What happens when rental assistance programs end?

Co-ops have had to make tough financial decisions to not accept new applicants in need of rental support or reduce support for those that once received it. In these co-ops, the number of rent assisted units has been substantially decreased, or in some cases erased completely. This has been very difficult for co-ops as they seek to be inclusive and affordable communities. Providing rental assistance through co-ops continues to be a proven model to provide high-quality, safe housing for those in most need.

What about the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit (SHB)?

The Saskatchewan Housing Benefit is too shallow, and does not meet the needs of low-income households.

The SHB provides a monthly benefit to eligible Saskatchewan renters who have low incomes and pay 50 per cent or more of their income on rent.

People that pay over 30% of their income on rent are considered to be in core housing need. We need funding to bridge that gap, and lessen the pressure on renters so no one in the province is paying more than 30% of their income on rent.

What is the Saskatchewan Bilateral Agreement?

The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation signed a bilateral agreement with the federal government to provide shared investments to support three initiatives: Saskatchewan Priorities Housing Initiative, the Canada Community Housing Initiative and the Canada Housing Benefit.

Saskatchewan can use funds through the first two to protect, regenerate and expand social and community housing. The agreement establishes a baseline of social housing and community housing units that Saskatchewan is required to preserve over the course of the agreement.

The federal cost-shared funding is designed to maintain rental assistance, and promote social inclusion through mixed-income housing.

Why Co-ops Matter

The co-op housing sector is well positioned to drive efficient and effective housing solutions that will address affordability challenges for Canadians, while providing critical economic stimulus for the country in the midst of a public health emergency and economic recession.