PINEHOUSE, SK, Sept. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada's housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to build affordable housing across the country. We are focused on building great neighbourhoods that Canadians want to, and can afford to live in.

Central to that work, the Government of Canada has launched Build Canada Homes, which is helping increase the pace of affordable homebuilding. Build Canada Homes is also helping fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing – working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. It is building deeply affordable and community housing for low-income households, and partnering with private market developers to build affordable homes for the Canadian middle class.

As part of the Government of Canada's broader efforts to respond to the housing crisis, investments are being made across the housing continuum to respond to the needs of communities across Canada.

New affordable housing is coming to Pinehouse with construction underway on the Pinehouse Housing Corporation's Small Families Sixplex. Once complete, the development will provide six two-bedroom rental units, helping meet local housing needs in the community. This will add six new units to Phase 3 at the site.

Funded through a joint investment by the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, and delivered in partnership with Pinehouse Housing Corporation, the project helps address local housing needs by increasing affordable rental options for families in the northern community.

The project consists of six two-bedroom rental units designed to support low-income families and households that require smaller accommodation. The development was supported by a $951,000 investment through the Rental Development Program funded through the National Housing Strategy – Saskatchewan Priorities Initiative.

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan continue to work together through the National Housing Strategy and the Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Agreement to increase the supply of affordable housing and improve housing outcomes for Saskatchewan residents. Through the bilateral agreement, nearly $610 million is being invested over 10 years, with funding shared between the federal and provincial governments.

The Government of Canada is making the housing investments that will help strengthen Canadian supply chains and create good jobs at every step of the homebuilding process – helping to build more homes and a stronger Canadian economy at the same time.

Quotes:

"This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when governments and community partners work together to address local housing needs. Through investments from the Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan, and Pinehouse Housing Corporation, six new affordable rental homes have been created for families and households in Pinehouse. Together, we are building stronger communities and creating more housing opportunities for Saskatchewan residents." – The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), and Member of Parliament for Denesthé—Missinippi—Churchill River (TBC)

"Access to affordable housing helps build stronger communities and improves quality of life for Saskatchewan families. This investment demonstrates the value of partnerships in increasing housing options and responding to local needs. We are pleased to support the Pinehouse Housing Corporation in delivering additional affordable housing for families in northern Saskatchewan." –The Honourable Terry Jenson, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"The Tiny 6‑Plex reflects Pinehouse Housing Corporation's commitment to providing homes that meet the needs of our community. Costs in the North are significantly higher, and the location factor makes government investment absolutely essential for sustainable housing. High winter heating costs can put tenants at risk of homelessness, so energy efficient construction supports stable, long term housing.  We deeply appreciate the support we've received through the provincial Rental Development Program and from Métis Nation–Saskatchewan through Reaching Home - these partnerships make projects like this possible. PHC will continue working with all levels of government to pursue every type of funding along the housing continuum, not only affordable housing, so we can keep delivering high‑quality, energy‑efficient homes for our community." – Conrad Misponas, Board Chair Pinehouse Housing Corporation

Quick facts: 

• The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10+ year, $115+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
  • As of June 2026, the federal government has committed $83.83 billion to support the creation of over 202,695 units and the repair of over 343,060 units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
  • NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and people with lived experience of housing need.
• The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provided funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community housing. This was a $16.1 billion program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gave priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, Veterans, and young adults. The application portal for AHF is now closed as all funding has been committed.
  • As of June 2026, the Government of Canada has committed $15.83 billion to support the creation of over 61,922 units and the repair of over 173,560 units through the Affordable Housing Fund.
  • On September 19, 2025, the Government of Canada announced $1.5 billion top-up in loans for the AHF's New Construction Stream, to support the creation of over 5,000 new units starting in 2025-26. Additionally, the AHF's Rapid Housing Sub-Stream will be accelerated, by pulling $385 million in funding from future years. 
• In 2019, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan entered into an agreement through the National Housing Strategy. The Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Agreement will invest $610 million over 10 years, which is cost matched between the federal and provincial governments.
• The Rental Development Program (RDP) provides one-time capital funding in the form of a forgivable loan to assist in the development of affordable rental housing units for households with low incomes.
• Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy was launched in April 2019 as part of the National Housing Strategy. The program is investing $5 billion over nine years and supports the prevention and reduction of homelessness, including chronic homelessness.
• The Government of Saskatchewan continues to invest in increasing the availability of safe and appropriate housing for families and individuals. Through the 2026-27 provincial budget, new and continuing projects totaling $17.6 million in 2026-27 will support repairs in provincially owned housing units to be rent-ready and new affordable housing units through the Rental Development Program.
• PHC is a for-profit corporation owned by the Northern Village of Pinehouse Lake which operates rental housing units in the village. Since November 2007, SHC has funded PHC for the development of 44 affordable rental units (including this project) and the repair of five spaces for those fleeing domestic violence. These investments total to $6.1 million.
• Funding for this project is as follows:
  • $526,633 from Government of Canada Reaching Home 
  • $951,600 in joint funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan through the National Housing Strategy (NHS) – Saskatchewan Priorities Initiative
  • $196,863 from Pinehouse Housing Corporation
  • $15,000 in land equity from the Northern Village of Pinehouse

Associated Links:  

• Visit canada.ca/housing for the most-requested Government of Canada housing information.
  Build Canada Homes is ready to partner with organizations committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing across Canada. Learn more about the portal and the Investment Policy Framework. 
• CMHC plays a critical role as a national convenor to promote stability and sustainability in Canada's housing finance system. CMHC's mortgage insurance products support access to home ownership and the creation and maintenance of rental supply. CMHC research and data help inform housing policy. By facilitating cooperation between all levels of government, private and non-profit sectors, CMHC contributes to advancing housing affordability, equity, and climate compatibility. CMHC actively supports the Government of Canada in delivering on its commitment to make housing more affordable.
• Follow CMHC on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.  
• In November 2019, the Government of Saskatchewan released Saskatchewan's Growth Plan: The Next Decade of Growth 2020-2030, which sets out the Government's vision for a province of 1.4 million people by 2030. The Plan identifies principles, goals and actions to ensure Saskatchewan is capturing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of a growing province. To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.      

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)