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The History of Silver Sage Housing Corporation

The History of Silver Sage Housing Corporation. Incorporated on November 8, 1983. Turning a vision into reality. “ The best way to predict the future is to create it” Abe Lincoln. Vision.

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The History of Silver Sage Housing Corporation

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  1. The History of Silver Sage Housing Corporation Incorporated on November 8, 1983

  2. Turning a vision into reality “The best way to predict the future is to create it” Abe Lincoln

  3. Vision • Elders, Chiefs and First Nation community leaders from our 15 First Nation owners believe housing to be a basic right but they needed to be pro-active as well. • In late 1960’s early 1970’s discussions began.

  4. MISSION STATEMENT • To provide and promote high quality affordable housing for First Nation peoples living in urban centres.

  5. INTRODUCTION • Urban native program in Saskatchewan since 1979. • Agreement between Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporations to provide 1,000 units in Saskatchewan. • Agreement ran out in 1982, unfortunately before the 1,000 units were purchased.

  6. Where are these units located • Since 1983 unit allocation CMHC has delivered the program. To date there is approximately 1185 units rented to low income Aboriginal families throughout Saskatchewan. Units are located in: • Yorkton • Fort Qu’Appelle • Regina • Saskatoon • Prince Albert • North Battleford • Meadow Lake • Lloydminister

  7. Our History • Silver Sage Housing Corporation (SSHC) was established November 8, 1983, by our 15 First Nation owners. • Corporation formed to address shelter needs of the Regina and area First Nation Communities. • With Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) approval 100 single family units purchased in 1984 significantly improving the quality of life for Urban First Nation peoples. • By 1994 Silver Sage owned 190 units thereby assisting families, seniors and students who relocated to Regina, and who required subsidized housing.

  8. History continued • In 1986 the Federal/Provincial Enriched (Indian Ancestry) units, which consisted of 205 units, were transferred to Silver Sage to manage. • Prior to this units were managed by Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) or Regina Native Women (RNW)

  9. History continued • SSHC, SHC and CMHC mutually agreed that SSHC would continue to house these tenants regardless of their ancestry. SSHC applied and was issued a human rights exemption to prioritize First Nation peoples who applied for housing to a maximum of 80% occupancy. • The housing portfolio for SSHC grew to 395 by 1994. This was the last year that SSHC purchased subsidized units under the CMHC program for home ownership.

  10. Today • Silver Sage is a complex but successful organization. • We have 20+ employees – Primarily First Nation. • Four departments – Finance, Maintenance, Client Services and Administration.

  11. Silver Sage Housing Corporation • Manage 250 units. (Mostly subsidized) in 3 portfolios. --Urban portfolio (Regina) --Rural portfolio (Ft. Qu’Appelle, Indian Head & Sintaluta) --Transitional Housing (Regina)

  12. Silver Sage Holdings Ltd. • Own roughly 250 units in 2 communities. • Regina –230 • Swift Current – 22.

  13. Recent Partner • Sask. Housing Corporation • 22 Townhouse style units in Swift Current. --completed Dec. 2012 --- Fully Occupied. 60% Non-Aboriginal • 24 Townhouse style units in Regina – Phase I -- July 2012 - Occupied within 1 month • 12 Townhouse style units in Regina – Phase II --70% Complete • Work with Carmichael Out-Reach providing housing to HIV positive persons.

  14. Vision

  15. Reality

  16. Future • Working with SHC on feasibility of 26 unit Elders Lodge. • Working with Fox Valley Counselling on feasibility of 10 unit supervised complex for families at risk of losing children to foster care. • Working with City of Regina to identify lots for further developments.

  17. Longer Term • Student Housing • More Elders Housing • Commercial ventures • Other

  18. Perspective • Affordable housing is important but how important and who pays and how much is a matter of perspective!

  19. The Early Bird Gets The Worm

  20. Sleeping In a Bit Can Be Very Healthy

  21. Bird or Worm? • Both play vital roles but both have very different perspectives. • Society will pay for inadequate or lack of housing one way or the other. • Whatever your perspective; we believe common thread is we all have a role.

  22. Current Situation • On a regular basis we have 225 – 250 families on waiting list. • The need is severe. • Our Vision is to house all of them. • The Reality is we need everyone involved.

  23. What can we do? • Silver Sage - Leverage it’s equity through private financing and work with it’s partners to provide housing to off-reserve First Nation peoples. • City of Regina – Make affordable housing a higher priority by making land, vacant lots available for rental development.

  24. Who Else? • Province of Saskatchewan – Continue to support the development of affordable housing. • Federal Government – Needs to become more involved.

  25. Bird or Worm? • What’s your perspective? Questions?

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