Housing for Francophones of Saskatchewan in the 1980s was defined by a transition toward urban centers and a fight for community-specific social infrastructure. While earlier generations largely lived in rural, agricultural colonies, the 1980s saw Fransaskois moving to cities like Regina and Saskatoon, where they utilized existing provincial and co-operative housing networks such as Cooperative d‘habitation Villa Bonheur located in the desirable Silverwood Heights neighbourhood, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Built in the mid-eighties, the Villa Bonheur Cooperative, a non-profit housing complex was originally intended to accommodate members of the Francophone community of Saskatchewan.  The first members were a tightly-knit and community-minded group who did much of the maintenance, upkeep and yard work themselves.

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As the years went by, the Villa began to accept non-French-speaking members, due to changes in demand from the francophone community and various other factors. Today, it is home to families, couples, singles, and senior citizens, who may be from different parts of the world.

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Villa Bonheur, which backs conveniently onto a school yard and park area, has 38 units in six separate blocks of three or four, consisting of 23 two and three-bedroom town-houses and a single block of 15 one-and-two-bedroom apartments for seniors over age 55.