Governments announce multi-million investment in Edmonton low-cost housing

Federal and municipal governments have announced a $24.8-million investment in the immediate construction of affordable housing units in Edmonton.

Earlier this week, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Edmonton mayor Don Iveson outlined the details of the investment through the Projects Stream of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), intended for the development of hundreds of low-cost and supportive homes for Edmontonians in need.

Of this sum, $17.9 million will be allocated to three supportive housing sites being developed in partnership with Homeward Trust, which will provide a total of 130 units for those who have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity.

Additionally, the provincial government will provide $6.5 million for the Westmount development through the Municipal Stimulus Program. This funding will help in the development of City and Homeward Trust’s five supportive housing developments totalling 210 units, which are expected to be completed by March 2022.

The senior housing project Lauderdale Terrace, by GEF Seniors Housing, will receive $6.9 million through the RHI. This will be used in the redevelopment of the community from 12 duplex units to 37 affordable housing units for low-income seniors, women, and couples. Twelve of these units will be reserved for senior women.

“This pandemic has underlined the fact that without addressing societal inequalities, like homelessness, we undermine Alberta’s resiliency and ability to bounce back,” said Iveson. “This is why a commitment to ending homelessness, by all levels of government, is so crucial to our future success. This funding commitment from the Rapid Housing Initiative allows the City of Edmonton to make significant strides in our goal to end chronic homelessness in our city while reducing stresses on our health, justice and law enforcement systems.”