NEW TINY HOME DEVELOPMENT FOR MÉTIS CITIZENS IN NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN

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BUFFALO NARROWS, SK, Sept. 23, 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.

Métis citizens in northern Saskatchewan will have greater access to affordable housing with the development of 12 new tiny homes in Buffalo Narrows, La Loche and Cumberland House.

Partners gathered in Buffalo Narrows today to celebrate the start of the project, which will provide affordable rental housing for single Métis citizens with low incomes. The development will include six tiny homes in La Loche, three in Cumberland House and three in Buffalo Narrows. The homes are expected to be completed in spring 2027.

The project builds on the ongoing partnership between the Government of Canada, Government of Saskatchewan, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan to increase access to affordable housing in northern Saskatchewan.

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.

The Government of Saskatchewan continues to work with Indigenous organizations, communities and housing partners to increase access to safe and affordable housing and support people in remaining connected to the communities they call home.

Quotes:

"These 12 new homes will create new housing opportunities for Métis citizens in northern Saskatchewan, while helping people remain connected to their families, culture and communities. We are proud to work with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and our partners to help make this important project possible." – The Honourable Terry Jenson, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"Métis Nation-Saskatchewan is a trusted partner to Canada and Saskatchewan, leading the way and working together to find innovative ways to support Métis citizens. Over the next week, we will announce 12 new energy-efficient housing units in MN-S Northern Region 2 and Eastern Region 1. When construction is complete, the affordable rental homes will help individuals and Elders in Buffalo Narrows, La Loche, and Cumberland House manage the high cost of living. This is what partnership achieves. This is what self-government delivers." – Glen McCallum, President, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is a government that represents Métis citizens in Saskatchewan. MN–S is leading the development of 12 tiny homes in La Loche, Cumberland House and Buffalo Narrows to provide affordable housing for single Métis citizens with low incomes.
• Funding for this project is as follows:
  • $1.5 million in joint funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan through the National Housing Strategy (NHS) – Saskatchewan Priorities Initiative
  • $1.58 million from Métis Nation–Saskatchewan

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.
• 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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• 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 Government of Canada

For information on this news release contact: Media Contacts: Arianna Durgerian, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]; Media Relations, Ministry of Social Services, 306-787-3610, [email protected]