Kindersley Housing Authority has served the Kindersley area for over 40 years, and after several program changes in late 2017, finds its doors busier than ever.
Kindersley Housing Authority is a semi-independent business under the large umbrella of Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC). Launched in Kindersley in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the housing authority sought to provide housing for low-income couples, families, seniors and in some cases a few individuals.
Two senior apartment buildings, a 12-unit apartment building for individual/family use, and 22 family duplex units were the first units built in the town of Kindersley. In the early 2000s, 12 duplex units in Marengo and Alsask were added for a total of 124 units currently under the authority’s management.
Until November 2017, the housing authority managed its units with two different programs, the Social Program in Kindersley and the Affordable Program in Marengo and Alsask. The social program aimed to have rental units available at 30% of the households’ gross monthly income, while the affordable program provided units at a reasonable set rate. Each program had parameters for assets and yearly incomes in order to determine eligible households.
As the head of all housing authorities in Saskatchewan, SHC published policies and parameters for the programs offered in Kindersley. So, when SHC saw shifting housing needs around the province, they began implementing changes to the existing programs as well as introducing new programs to various communities—including Kindersley.
For Kindersley, this meant a new program called the “Senior Housing Program” as well as changes to the existing social housing program. These changes included lowering the senior age for the senior buildings to 55 years of age, broadening the asset and income parameters for some types of applications, and making it easier for individuals and families to “cohabitate” or rent share.
Since these changes were rolled out in late 2017, Kindersley Housing has seen an increase of applications and housed individuals. Anita Elliott, Manager for Kindersley Housing Authority, says she is pleased that the authority is able to serve the community better.
“The program changes from SHC have allowed our senior housing to be more accessible to seniors, especially young seniors, who are retiring,” Elliott noted. “Priority is still given to our lower income citizens, but this provides us with options so that we can shift to meet the needs of those who really need the housing.”
As a standalone authority, Kindersley Housing Authority answers to both a local board of directors and to regional offices within SHC. With a staff of four, the office endeavors to provide safe and adequate housing for those who could not otherwise afford it.
For more information, Elliott encourages individuals to contact the Kindersley Housing Authority office located next to the Dawn View Court building at 322 Railway Avenue East.
For the latest information and for more updates on everything Kindersley ‘Like’ the Kindersley Social Facebook page below…
