logo
$203M in funding announced for affordable Alberta housing

$203M in funding announced for affordable Alberta housing

The Alberta and federal governments announced Friday they were together spending $203 million to fund 25 projects and add 2,300 more units of housing.
Article content
The outlay is from the Affordable Housing Partnership Program, a 10-year program between the two governments that sees them split costs equally.
Article content
Article content
'This is one area where we continue to see pretty significant partnership between the province of Alberta and the federal government and a strong dedication by both governments to continue to invest in housing to make sure that Canada can continue to move forward, particularly in places like Alberta, where we see unprecedented growth,' said Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon in announcing the spending.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Edmonton-Centre MP and Prairies Economic Development Minister Eleanor Olszewski said the joint spending will help address the housing crisis.
Article content
Article content
'It shows you that when governments choose to lead and to work together, we can do really big things,' she said.
Article content
More than $41 million of the money announced Friday is slated to be distributed across five Edmonton-area developments.
Article content
The Brentwood Family Housing Society is slated to receive $6.69 million to build affordable housing for families, with a 12621665 Canada Association also to get $6 million for the same cause.
Article content
The Mustard Seed Foundation is set to receive $4.67 million to build supportive housing.
Article content
And, $4.05 million is to be devoted for Williams Hall at the former downtown YMCA site to build mixed-use affordable housing with a focus on supporting young adults, students, and individuals facing rental barriers.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'We knew that the spirit of this new vision would involve focusing on young adult Albertans and providing them a space where they can start their adult lives on the right foot,' said Ivan Beljan, whose company is leading the development of the Williams Hall site.
Article content
Friday's announcement sets aside just over $117 million for nine grant recipients in Calgary.
Article content
A further $44.6 million is also set aside for seven other recipients across Alberta, including projects in St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Banff, Jasper, Okotoks, Strathmore, and Canmore.
Article content
Separate land transfers in Olds and Fort Saskatchewan were also announced to aid in construction of affordable housing.
Article content
Article content
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thursday's letters: Scrooge-like UCP should be ashamed
Thursday's letters: Scrooge-like UCP should be ashamed

Edmonton Journal

time4 hours ago

  • Edmonton Journal

Thursday's letters: Scrooge-like UCP should be ashamed

Article content Most right-minded thinkers would agree that individuals receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) benefits constitute one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, worthy of assistance beyond the current meagre monthly benefits offered by that program. Except, that is, our UCP government. Article content According to Jason Nixon, minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, these people are already overpaid. So back in March, when the federal government announced a new Canada Disability Benefit (which will add an additional $200 to top up provincial funding), the province quickly announced that any AISH beneficiary claiming that benefit would see their monthly AISH payment clawed back an equivalent amount. Article content Article content Article content In other words, the province was indirectly grabbing these federal monies intended to help those most in need. As if that wasn't bad enough, the ministry is forcing AISH recipients to become its collection agency by mandating that any AISH recipient who fails to apply for this new federal benefit by Sept. 5 will still have their benefits reduced by $200. Article content Article content So in spite of the fact that they can't 'receive' the federal benefit, it will still be deducted from their provincial benefit resulting in a greater cash saving for our province. The only thing missing from this picture is an image of the minister seated behind his miserly desk on Christmas Eve, quill pen in hand, asking: 'Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?' Article content Article content Frankly, this minister and this government should be ashamed of themselves. Article content Jon Rossall, Edmonton Article content Don't let losers run in byelections Article content Pierre Poilievre's calling for a law to block long-ballot protests. There should also be a law stopping a politician from being able to run in another constituency after they lose in their own. Article content As reported by Rob Breakenridge, Premier Smith said that 'creating our own Alberta version of supply management, maybe as a pathway to a market system and maybe just because it would stick our finger in the eye of Quebec … might be (something) we want to do a little consultation on.' Article content Coming on top of her demanding an apology from Jasper for stating the truth, one has to wonder how petty can she and her government get? I can well imagine her outraged response if Quebec announced the potential adoption of a new policy simply to stick a finger in the eye of Alberta. How embarrassing.

Saskatchewan bringing in military personnel, helicopters to fight wildfires
Saskatchewan bringing in military personnel, helicopters to fight wildfires

Globe and Mail

time9 hours ago

  • Globe and Mail

Saskatchewan bringing in military personnel, helicopters to fight wildfires

Saskatchewan is set to get help from Ottawa as dozens of wildfires burn in the province. Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski says she has approved a request for federal assistance and that Armed Forces personnel and helicopters are being deployed. It comes after Saskatchewan's Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, said he wrote to Olszewski asking for up to 300 crew members to mop up blazes. He said the province requested helicopters for bucketing and to move crews, and it also needs water haulers and sprinklers to protect communities. Premier Scott Moe's Saskatchewan Party government had previously refused asking for federal aid, saying Ottawa did not have what Saskatchewan needed. The province is reporting 50 active wildfires, including 14 uncontained. Wildfires continue to cause havoc in neighbouring Manitoba, where the northwestern community of Leaf Rapids says a blaze has entered the community. The town says the fire jumped the Churchill River and entered the community through its industrial area. It said on social media that all personnel, including firefighters, have had to leave. Provincial data says the fire is out of control and is about 25 square kilometres in size. Multiple wildfires are burning around the community located 980 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, including one southwest of the town that is more than 303 square kilometres in size. There are 121 wildfires burning in Manitoba, 12 of which are considered out of control.

Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Saskatchewan
Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Saskatchewan

Globe and Mail

time13 hours ago

  • Globe and Mail

Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Saskatchewan

OTTAWA, ON , /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, issued the following statement: "The wildfires currently burning across the province of Saskatchewan continue to pose a significant risk to many communities, some of which have been ordered to evacuate. Today, in my capacity as Minister of Emergency Management, I approved a Request for Federal Assistance from the Government of Saskatchewan . We will be providing Saskatchewan with additional firefighters to mitigate the wildfires, and helicopters to transport critical personnel. The Government Operations Centre is working with the Canadian Armed Forces, and other federal and provincial partners, to deploy all necessary resources, and ensure the province of Saskatchewan has the support needed. I am truly grateful to the firefighters, first responders, emergency management officials, and local volunteers for their unwavering dedication in helping those affected by the wildfires. I remain in close contact with my counterpart in Saskatchewan . During these difficult times, we are here and ready to support." Associated Links

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store