Prince Albert Housing has a zero per cent vacancy rate, said general manager David DeVos on Thursday, and that makes the official opening of 63 newly renovated units a welcome thing. PAHA started work 2.5 years ago – thanks to a federal/provincial grant via the National Housing Strategy – on re-doing the entire Village Green complex on 2nd Street East.
“We have zero percent vacancy on the family housing. And the only units that we have available after this is full will be the units that we are turning over and we run about a 30 to 45 day turnover,” said DeVos. “So as soon as a unit’s ready, it’s allocated right away.
So we have 0% available.” Along with no vacancies, there are 130 families waiting to get a unit if they can, many hoping to move from northern Saskatchewan, although an increasing number are families new to Canada and making an arduous transition. In order to complete the upgrades, contractors took the buildings apart right to the studs and re-did everything.
“You could see through the walls,” said DeVos. Families qualify based on income and rent is charged based on 30 per cent of their gross but a minimum of about $350 applies and the maximum is capped at around $1,100. The units come with fridges and stoves, but other major appliances are not included.
“You know, it’s a pretty small percentage that move through and eventually go into the private housing. But you know we try to celebrate all of their successes. You know when simple things.