Moose Jaw City Council has laid the foundation for more affordable housing in our city. This week council appointed and approved of our first-ever Housing Advisory Committee. Mayor Glenn Hagel is looking for big things from the new group and says he wants them to bring their understanding of the facts.

"There are a number of people on the committee who are well aware of the social impacts of the affordable housing issue we have right now. Fortunately, there are also a number of people on the committee are part of making things happen because they are part of the financial or construction world."

City Council has appointed 14 people to the committee, which will come up with recommendations for council when it comes to affordable housing, social housing and other items that deal with the housing market. Moving forward, the group is using the experience of the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives partnership as a model.

This group won't be one that makes recommendations 12 or 16 months down the road. Hagel wants recommendations this year so they can get to work as soon as possible.

"In many ways this is an all-star committee," he said. "These are people who have come to the table have come with a high-level of passion for being part of the solution."

Hagel hopes the Housing Advisory Committee will be an ongoing functioning body that will be around to serve Moose Jaw for years to come.

The committee will consist of:
Marian Kleckner: Moose Jaw Housing Authority
Christine Boyczuk: Moose Jaw Regional Intersectoral Committee
Anne-Marie Ursan: Mental Health & Addictions Services, FHHR
Karen Closs: Moose Jaw Child Action Committee
Michael Wolverine: Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association Inc.
Brent Waldo: Moose Jaw Construction Association
Clint DeMarce: Ministerial Association
Corey Hicke: Building Industry
Donald Findlay: Banking Industry
Andy Wolske: Banking Industry
Scott McMann: Banking Industry
Valerie Budd-Pritchard: Member at Large
Les Gray: Member at Large
Diana Ireland: Member at Large