The provincial and federal governments have inked an agreement to provide long-term funding for community housing for families, Indigenous communities and vulnerable people in Saskatchewan.

Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale made the announcement on behalf of the federal minister, alongside Paul Merriman, social services minister. it’s a bi-lateral 10 year agreement for funding that will invest $449.9 million to protect, renew and expand social community housing.

The two levels of government have committed to working to the implementation of a Canada Housing Benefit for the province and provide affordability support directly to families and individuals in housing need.

“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Goodale in a media release.

“Together, we can help to open doors to many more opportunities and, most importantly, support those in greatest housing need,” Merriman said in the release.

The investments are in addition to the nearly $600 million in previously planned federal housing investments in the province under the Social Housing Agreement.

The new measures are building on the federal government’s investments into housing sectors. Since November, 2015, the feds have invested over $421 million in housing in Saskatchewan.