Ranch Ehrlo Society with the Government of Canada, the Province of Saskatchewan, and the City of Regina, broke ground on May 13, 2013 with a new housing development targeted towards youth in transition. The project will consist of eight ‘pocket style’ apartment bachelor units located at 1747 Montreal Street in the Heritage neighbourhood of Regina.
The units will be called CHAZ Court after Dale Chastkiewicz, the former chair of the Ehrlo Community Services from 2007 to 2009. Dale was on the board seven years and continues to support the work of Ranch Ehrlo.
“CHAZ Court is designed to assist young singles transition from care, whether it is foster, group or an institutional program to independent living. Ranch Ehrlo Society sees the need for this style of housing for our youth leaving treatment and for young people in the community who have just entered the work force, left home, or are starting school,” explained Ranch Ehrlo VP of Residential Services Malcolm Neill. “These roughly 200-square feet, single occupancy apartments will provide affordable housing and allow people a greater amount of independence.”
The concept of providing affordable housing for youth in transition in the community is very important to Dale who grew up in Regina.
“All citizens deserve the opportunity to have safe and affordable housing,” stated Dale Chastkiewicz. “The board at the time I was chair, recognized a lot of issues around homelessness in Regina that still exist today and the bachelor unit apartment will be a great initiative to combat it. The project also fit Ranch Ehrlo Society’s mission of helping young people and communities.”
Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, helped make the announcement.
“Our government is pleased to contribute to this important housing project,” said Minister Draude. “Saskatchewan is leading the nation in economic growth, and affordable, appropriate housing is needed to enable this province to continue to grow. We are proud to work with the Government of Canada, the City of Regina and the Ranch Ehrlo Society so Saskatchewan youth have a safe housing environment in which to plan for their future.”
“I would like to thank Ranch Ehrlo for expanding their services once again for the people in this community,” Minister Draude added. “It is very fitting that this build is named after Dale, he has made a tremendous impact on the organization and most importantly he has made an impact on the people that it serves.”
The project goes beyond just housing, some of the workers on the project are new to construction and are learning skilled on-the job training in the construction industry.
“Making the world a better place is a value shared by the entire Chastkiewicz clan. It can be seen in their excitement when discussing ideas on how to help others. The naming of the project, CHAZ Court, is just one of the ways to recognize the leadership and commitment for a better world so clearly demonstrated by Dale and his family," stated Ranch Ehrlo Society board chair Jim Kenyon.
The total cost of the development is approximately $933,000. The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Province of Saskatchewan, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, are contributing a total of $768,000 from the federal/provincial Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Agreement toward this project. The City of Regina is contributing $80,000 through a municipal grant, with Ranch Ehrlo Society providing the funding balance of approximately $85,000 through cash and land equity.
