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The City of Edmonton is investing $27.5 million in 619 new and renewed units of affordable housing.
City Council approved the construction grants as part of the City’s Affordable Housing Investment Program (AHIP), along with the sale of City-owned land to a housing provider for $1.
The grants will help support the following:
- The Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada: $1,143,000 to rehabilitate existing affordable housing units in Grace Manor, a facility that serves vulnerable populations such as low income seniors and those with physical and/or mental health challenges.
- Right At Home Housing Society: $941,000 to rehabilitate existing affordable housing units in Millbourne Mews and Edmiston Street for low income individuals and families.
- Kingsway Crossing Developments Ltd.: $5,280,000 for a proposed development located in Central McDougall to serve priority groups and vulnerable populations, including Indigenous people.
- MPW Developments One Limited Partnership: $14,000,000 for a proposed development located in Kennedale Industrial to serve priority groups and vulnerable populations, including Indigenous people.
- NiGiNan Housing Ventures: $6,890,000 for a proposed development located in Spruce Avenue to serve individuals with complex housing needs.
“Everyone deserves a place to call home,” said Rionel Comia, Manager of Project Development, Affordable Housing and Homelessness.
“Providing City-owned land and capital grants helps our partners secure additional funding from other levels of government.”
Three of the six approved projects are Indigenous-led housing developments.
“Together, we are building more than housing; we are building our Indigenous Led Recovery model, building connections to community and self,” said Keri Cardinal, CEO of NiGiNan Housing Ventures.
Housing providers were required to guarantee that the affordable units will be offered at below-market rates for 25 to 40 years. Projects were also required to be environmentally sustainable to ensure long-term resilience.
“Grant funding is not simply an investment,” said Marisa Redmond, Executive Director, Right at Home Housing Society. “It’s a commitment to the well-being of our city and neighborhoods, and an opportunity for individuals and families who rely on safe, accessible places to call home.”
According to the city, funding is typically distributed after the total project cost is confirmed, other funding has been secured and a building permit is issued.
Grant recipients must provide annual reports demonstrating that they are renting the affordable units at the rate set out in their agreements.
The city said one in eight households, one in four renters and one in three Indigenous renter households are in core housing need, meaning they pay more than they can afford in housing costs, or live in crowded or unsafe conditions, and can’t afford to move.
That number of households in core housing need in Edmonton is expected to increase to 59,000 households by 2026.
The City has a goal to help create 4,652 new or renewed units of affordable housing by 2026.
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