Sask. real estate developer critical of provincial government's commitment to affordable housing

The head of a Regina real estate development company says the Saskatchewan government is not doing enough to support affordable housing in the province, specifically for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Jennifer Denouden, president and CEO of Avana Developments, was at the Saskatchewan legislature on Monday to share her concerns about how the province is funding these projects.

On Friday, her company secured $30.8 million from the federal government through the national housing strategy. The city of Regina pledged $1.9 million.

Avana has started construction of a 116 unit apartment complex in Regina. Of the 116 units, 39 will be dedicated to women and children fleeing domestic violence.

"Saskatchewan has the highest per-capita rate of interpersonal violence in the country, and it's a space that we really needed to step up because, quite frankly, our provincial government has not," Denouden said.

The Avana foundation, the non-profit arm of Avana, will own and operate the building which is slated to be completed in 2023.

"I personally have witnessed interpersonal violence as a child, so it's always been pretty near and dear to my heart," Denouden said.

The company has 600 rental units built or under construction in Regina with 80 per cent designated as affordable.

"We started researching within our own city and found the YWCA alone turns away over 3,000 women and children on an annual basis, we knew we just couldn't sit by and watch it continue," Denounden said.

"This past year alone, we've committed $1.2 million in operating funding to Sofia House. We've also committed a $2 million contribution to the YWCA, from our private resources, from our family's private resources."

She said when the company started efforts in affordable housing and supporting women's shelters it had hoped to prove to the provincial government its commitment and would earn some support.

But after many meetings with various ministers, Denouden said the province has made no such commitments.

"We were able to get to where we are without provincial support, I would hope that the next developer that comes behind us, that wants to make an impact in this community and wants to develop affordable housing. Maybe the provincial government will listen."

"I noticed they're very proud of the work they've done in this space and what they have accomplished since 2007. We have built the same amount of units in the last three years. So I'd be ashamed if I were them rather than proud of the work that they've done," Denouden said.