The City provides policy direction as well as programs and resources to address Regina's housing needs. We also work with residents, community groups, businesses, property owners, housing providers, and other stakeholders to improve the long-term success of our community and address more immediate housing needs, including addressing chronic homelessness.
Rapid Housing Initiative Projects
The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is a federal funding program administered by Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). It provides funding to facilitate the rapid construction of new permanent affordable housing units for people and populations who are vulnerable and prioritized under the National Housing Strategy.
The RHI has provided a new opportunity for the City of Regina to support the development of affordable housing units for residents experiencing chronic homelessness and housing insecurity. Through the RHI, the City of Regina is supporting the following projects:
Comprehensive Housing Strategy
In 2013, the City released its first Comprehensive Housing Strategy (CHS) which was intended to define and communicate the City’s role in housing, better align policies, programs and assets with current and future housing needs, and identify opportunities to stimulate and regulate the housing market. The CHS identified key housing issues and recommended 35 strategies to positively impact the state of housing in Regina.
The five goals identified in the 2013 CHS include:
- Increasing the supply of rental and affordable housing
- Retaining and regenerating existing housing stock
- Increasing the diversity of housing options
- Addressing housing needs while creating complete communities and sustainable neighbourhoods
- Working with other orders of government to address housing issues
Housing Incentives Programs
The City offers capital grants and residential tax exemption programs for newly-constructed rental and ownership housing units that meet eligibility and affordability requirements.
The Capital Grant and Tax Exemption housing incentives vary depending on the location of the development and the unit type. To be eligible, applications must be made while the development is underway (building permit or development permit has been issued).
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Affordable Housing
The City works with non-profit and private sector organizations to support the development of affordable housing in Regina. If you are seeking an affordable rental unit, you can contact organizations and developers who have received funding through the City of Regina’s Housing Incentives Program to provide affordable rental units.
Organization |
Contact information |
Avana |
|
Gabriel Housing Corporation |
reception@gabrielhousing.com |
Halifax Holdings West |
306-525-1087 |
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission |
apartments@shrmsk.com |
Silver Sage Holdings Inc. |
silversage.ca |
National Affordable Housing Corporation |
nahcorp.ca |
If you are seeking affordable home ownership, you can contact developers that have received funding through the City of Regina’s Housing Incentives Program to discuss eligibility.
Organization |
Contact information |
Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan |
306-347-4657 |
Homelessness
Nearly 500 people were found to be experiencing some form of homelessness in Regina, according to Regina's third Point-in-Time (PiT) Count of Homelessness in September 2021.
In 2019, community stakeholders collaborated to develop Regina’s five-year Plan to End Homelessness. This is Regina’s collaborative approach to ending homelessness. As the community plan endorsed by City Council, selected by the Regina Homelessness Community Advisory Board, and accepted by the federal Reaching Home program, it guides funding decisions and ensures alignment between local priorities and federal investments.
The Plan calls for, among other things, significant investment in new supportive housing units with personalized, wraparound support services to address the nuanced needs and circumstances of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Individuals who are successfully housed in permanent supportive housing no longer access emergency shelters. Evaluation of existing Housing First programs in Regina has demonstrated cost savings through a reduction in calls for service and interactions with law enforcement, as well as lower rates of hospitalization.
On April 14, 2021, City Council approved the creation of a Permanent Supportive Housing Operating Grant program aligned with the Plan to End Homelessness to fund the ongoing operation of permanent supportive housing.
If you or someone you know is in an emergency situation and don’t have enough money to meet basic needs, including shelter, call the Provincial Client Service Centre at 1-866-221-5200 or your local income assistance service centre.
Rental Housing Conditions
While the City supports the development of rental housing, the rules and practices of the relationship between the tenant and landlord are governed by the Province of Saskatchewan through the Residential Tenancies Act and the Residential Tenancies Regulations.
Unsafe or Untidy Rental Property Complaints
The City has authority to enforce bylaws that pertain to the health, safety and welfare of the community, including those that relate to the condition of rental properties.
- Yard or exterior maintenance complaints can be made to Service Regina by calling 306-777-7000. A Bylaw Enforcement Officer may order the property owner to conduct any necessary repairs, clean-up or maintenance.
- Fire safety issues (e.g., problems with smoke alarms, exits, windows) are investigated by Regina Fire and Protective Services. Tenants can make a complaint by calling 306-777-7830 and a Fire Inspector will contact you to gather all relevant information. Action will not be taken on anonymous requests or information based on hearsay.
- Public health concerns in rental housing (e.g., rodent/insect infestations, sewer back-ups, extensive mold) are investigated by the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR). Public health complaints can be submitted directly to RQHR. Additional information and a complaint form can be found at RQHealth.ca.
If the rental unit concern is not related to exterior property maintenance, fire safety, or public health, please contact the Office of Residential Tenancies by calling 1-888-215-2222.
Additional Funding for Housing
There are a number of community, Provincial and Federal funding programs related to housing that individuals and organizations can access. Links to these programs are provided below.
Federal Funding Programs: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) |