Affordable Housing

While both Saskatoon’s economy and housing market are extremely vibrant, there is one concern -- housing for those who can least afford it. A shortage of rental units, an increase in apartments being converted to condominiums, and the rising cost of building homes, means many families are unable to buy a new home.

Often these families are paying monthly housing costs equivalent to what mortgage, taxes and interest would be. Barriers, such as inability to save large down payments or credit records, prevent them from becoming homeowners.

Ehrenburg Homes is an active builder in the community who, along with non-profit organizations, are undertaking solutions to enable more families to become homeowners.

The Pleasant Hill Village, formerly known as the Pleasant Hill Revitalization plan is a major redevelopment plan in the heart of one of Saskatoon's oldest neighbourhoods – Pleasant Hill. This development will consist of new housing, a new community school (St. Mary's) and plenty of green space. On June 24th, 2009 we joined the City of Saskatoon, the Province of Saskatchewan, the Government of Canada, members of the First Nation's Community, the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board, the Affordable New home Development Foundation, and members of the community to launch the beginning of "Pleasant Hill Village."

Ehrenburg Homes is trilled to be a participating builder in this unique and inspiring project. We have been selected by the City of Saskatoon to partner with the Affordable New Home Foundation (and another local home builder) to build 24 multiple family homes on parcel D of the development plan. The 2 buildings (with 12 units in each building) will posses remarkable character and be finished as Energy Star qualified New Homes.

This development is a significant part of the Pleasant Hill Revitalization plan, and we couldn’t be happier to be involved in bringing new housing to this revitalization plan and to this great community.

Click here to view the concept plan for Pleasant Hill Village.

Ehrenburg has even gone beyond this, working with the Affordable New Home Development Foundation on a project that provided homes for 11 families. Built on a vacant lot in Westmount, Ehrenburg constructed two-storey homes, each 1100 square feet in size.

To reduce ongoing costs, such as energy, Ehrenburg built these units to highly efficient standards. The foundation assisted by providing owners with forgivable loans, made possible through a government housing program.

All 11 units were purchased quickly, meaning 11 families were provided the benefits of home ownership, including improved health and increased stability. The neighbourhood also benefited from the increased pride people have when they own their homes.

Through the project, Ehrenburg also proved that affordable housing is still possible in our thriving economy.

Ehrenburg Homes is very active in providing affordable new housing to the people of Saskatoon. We are currently working with other groups and companies on new projects that will see additional affordable housing offered to the public.