YORKTON, SK, Oct. 16, 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.
Today, the federal government, along with the Yorkton Parkland Housing Society and Yellow Quill First Nation announced over $5.6 million in combined funding through the Affordable Housing Fund and Rapid Housing Initiative to help build and repair 60 secure, rental homes in Yorkton and on Yellow Quill First Nation.
Through an investment of $1.9 million from the Affordable Housing Fund, the project will support repairs to 50 housing units across Yorkton that are owned and operated by the Yorkton Parkland Housing Society. Repairs are expected to be completed in 2028.
Also announced was $2.5 million in funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative for Yellow Quill First Nation. This project has provided 10 new single-family homes for Yellow Quill First Nation members living on reserve. The project was completed in 2024, and residents are living in their new homes.
The announcement was made by the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada alongside Aaron Kienle, Mayor, City of Yorkton, and Sharon Green, Chairperson, Yorkton Parkland Housing Society.
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:
"Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. Through investments in Yorkton and Yellow Quill First Nation, our government is helping ensure more individuals and families have access to quality housing that meets their needs. By supporting critical repairs to existing homes and creating new housing opportunities, we are strengthening communities across Saskatchewan while building Canada Strong." – The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
"Communities in south-east Saskatchewan are growing, and their housing and infrastructure needs are growing too. This investment of over $5.6 million to build and repair 60 homes in Yorkton and Yellow Quill First Nation reflects our government's commitment to working with communities big and small to deliver on local priorities and ensure that they the tools and support they need to thrive." – The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development
"We know the need for affordable housing in Yorkton and our region is significant, and investments like these help create more stability and opportunity for people in our communities. The $1.9 million investment in Yorkton Parkland Housing Society, together with the $2.5 million investment in Yellow Quill First Nation, is a welcome commitment to addressing those needs. It also demonstrates what can be achieved when governments and community organizations work together to strengthen housing in our region." – Aaron Kienle, Mayor, City of Yorkton
Quick Facts:
- 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.
- The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) was delivered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the NHS. It provided funding to facilitate the rapid construction of new housing and the acquisition of existing buildings for the purpose of rehabilitation or conversion to permanent affordable housing units. With its third phase, launched in 2022, the Rapid Housing Initiative once again exceeded targets. It is expected that with this phase over 5,200 new homes will be created, of which almost half will be for women and one third will be for Indigenous Peoples. The total number of units created with the support of Rapid Housing Initiative is expected to be over 16,000 units. The program is now closed.
- The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, Veterans, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, racialized groups, and recent immigrants or refugees.
- Funding provided for Yorkton Parkland Housing Society is as follows:
- $1.9 million from the federal government through the Affordable Housing Fund
- Funding provided for Yellow Quill First Nation is as follows:
- $2.5 million from the federal government through the Rapid Housing Initiative
- $1.0 million from Indigenous Services Canada
- $85,000 from Yellow Quill First Nation in cash equity
Additional Information:
- 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.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is a federal Crown corporation and the foundation of Canada's housing system. For over 80 years, CMHC has supported the functioning of housing markets across the country through housing finance solutions -- including mortgage loan insurance and securitization -- while providing trusted, unbiased data, research and market intelligence to inform policy and decision making. Through its national presence, deep expertise in housing economics and finance, and a system-wide perspective, CMHC helps foster a more stable, well-functioning housing market that supports households, communities and the broader economy.
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SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Contacts: Piper McWilliams, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]
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