Mayor launches #yegYIMBY day in Edmonton for affordable housing

[IanO]

New supportive housing site welcomes residents​

December 20, 2022 A new supportive housing facility in south Edmonton is providing safe, stable housing for Edmontonians who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness. The Mustard Seed Prairie Manor has gradually welcomed residents since late summer and is now 70 per cent full. The site is one of eight projects funded by the City of Edmonton and the Government of Canada as part of the first two rounds of the federal Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), a national housing program aimed at new housing for vulnerable Canadians. “Prairie Manor is not just welcoming Edmontonians who might struggle to keep finding stable housing this winter, it’s giving them a permanent place to call home,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “This project builds on The Mustard Seed’s long history of working to address houselessness, reduce poverty and help Edmontonians meet their basic needs.” Through the RHI, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) provided $9.2 million, and the City provided $1.7 million, to renovate a former hotel in Strathcona Junction into 85 self-contained supportive housing units. The RHI is a $2.5-billion program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) to help address the urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians through the rapid construction of over 10,000 units of affordable housing across the country. “Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. “Through the Rapid Housing Initiative, our government is quickly delivering affordable housing to Canadians most in need. Edmontonians who would otherwise be at risk now have homes at Mustard Seed Prairie Manor. This is one of the many ways the National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind.” “This site, made possible through the Rapid Housing Initiative, will bring much needed relief to many of the city's most vulnerable residents,” said Randy Boissonnault, federal Minister of Tourism, Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre. “These 85 units are more than just safe and affordable places to live, they are key to a better life for the residents who will call them home.” Supportive housing residents sign a lease, pay rent based on 30 per cent of their income and live in an apartment they can furnish and decorate. They also receive supports tailored to their needs. Staff are on-site 24 hours a day and residents receive a range of services through referrals and visits. Prairie Manor has floors dedicated to individuals with low mobility, females, and sober living. Of the total suites, 49 units are reserved for Indigenous peoples, which reflects the 57 per cent of people currently experiencing homelessness who identify as Indigenous. “The Mustard Seed is so grateful for the opportunity to create a space where those who have experienced homelessness can find comfort and peace,” said Katie Kitschke, director of housing, The Mustard Seed Edmonton. “We know that there is still so much work to be done, but we are proud to be a part of it."​

 

[itom987]

Why don't I see any talk about building affordable housing and LRT stations within the same building?

 

[soupcrate]

Why don't I see any talk about building affordable housing and LRT stations within the same building?

Colocation is generally more expensive, and we have a lot of vacant and low-intensity land. Publicly funded affordable housing should be focused on getting the most bang for our buck.

 

[itom987]

I call bullshit on colocation being more expensive.
The cost will be cheaper in the long run with LRT stations being safer due to residents living in the same building.
Cheap housing and mass transit work well for those that cannot afford/don't want a car.
The LRT line gets more usage from residents that live right at the station - they may use it multiple times everyday.

 

[IanO]

An interesting read on 'inclusionary housing'

Keith Gerein: Province targets potentially key tool in Edmonton's housing arsenal

While there has been no definitive response from mayors or managers, we know some in municipal circles are not exactly warm to this move.

edmontonjournal.com

 

[IanO]

Do we need some of this common-amenity housing for newcomers, students, young professionals in Central Edmonton? This is the big new trend here in Canmore and to a lesser extent Banff.

Employee Housing — Bald Eagle Peak Chalets in Canmore AB

www.baldeaglepeakchalets.ca

 

[MacLac]

Mustard Seed will be under construction very soon. Stony and 150th street’ish?

 

[IanO]

Edmonton submits plans for supportive housing​

March 15, 2023 The City is moving forward with plans to support 351 new units of affordable and supportive housing. On Tuesday, Council approved an investment plan for the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative, a national program led by the Government of Canada to support shovel-ready affordable housing projects. The City will submit three City-led projects, one of which will be eligible for $12.5 million earmarked by the federal government for Edmonton. Five other affordable housing developments led by non-profit organizations will also be submitted. In total, the projects would leverage a City investment of $48.4 million to access $72.6 million of federal funding. “Each one of these projects is life changing, a vision of what we can do when we work together,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “We need a bold plan to grow our affordable housing infrastructure, to make Edmonton a place for all of us.” Supportive housing is a flexible model of affordable housing tailored to individuals who struggle to maintain housing. Over the past four years, the City has supported the development of 644 units of supportive housing for Edmontonians facing complex health challenges, trauma and homelessness. “These new proposals represent a very important step towards regaining our momentum in ending homelessness in our community,” said Susan McGee, CEO of Homeward Trust. “Supportive housing is a proven cost-effective model that provides long-term, sustainable housing for community members who have otherwise been trapped in a cycle of homelessness.” The City-led proposals replicate a model used during the first round of the federal Rapid Housing Initiative, when the City oversaw the construction of five supportive housing sites on municipally owned land. The five sites were transferred in late 2022 to Homeward Trust, which has selected operators and welcomed the first residents of the 210 new units. A new tour video has been developed to give Edmontonians a first look at what the finished sites look like. King Edward Park: Operated by the Bissell Centre’s Hope Terrace program, which specializes in supporting people born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Inglewood: Operated by Native Counselling Services of Alberta, an Indigenous-led organization that specializes in fair and equitable treatment for a population overrepresented in housing need and homelessness. Westmount: Operated by the George Spady Society, which provides a continuum of support services to people with complex life circumstances associated with substance-related and concurrent disorders. Terrace Heights: Operated by Boyle Street Community Services, an organization dedicated to eliminating homelessness and building strong, accepting and respectful communities. Wellington: Operated by NiGiNan Housing Ventures, an Indigenous-led non-profit housing provider specializing in a range of supportive housing options for Indigenous people. In the coming days, residents living near the completed developments will receive welcome letters from Homeward Trust and the new operators, including plans for open houses and community events. Details of the newly submitted proposals, including locations, size and organizations, will be made public when funded by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and will be subject to additional Council decisions.​

For more information: Pictures and b-roll of RHI Round 1 Sites Supportive Housing tour video Media contact: Brent Wittmeier Senior Marketing Strategist Communications and Engagement​

 

[IanO]

New affordable housing tax grant launched​

May 11, 2023 A new $27 million City of Edmonton investment will support non-profit organizations providing Edmontonians with a range of affordable housing. The Affordable Housing Tax Grant covers municipal property taxes for all affordable housing units owned or operated by non-profit organizations. Funding for the grant was approved in Budget 2023-2026 following several Council debates on how to best bring the City’s policies in line with provincial legislation. The grant will offset $6 million in taxes in 2023, scaling up to $7.5 million by 2026, providing a complement to the City’s ongoing efforts to increase the number of affordable housing units. “One in four renters in Edmonton pay more than they can afford on housing. With costs rising, we need to address the housing gap and protect our existing affordable housing stock,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “This new grant provides certainty to organizations building an Edmonton for everyone, allowing them to keep rents down and buildings well maintained.” The grant announcement took place at Matheson Seniors Housing, which has provided affordable seniors housing since 1973. In 2022, the City approved $950,000 towards a $5.2 million rehabilitation of the site through the Affordable Housing Investment Program to ensure low-income seniors can receive affordable housing for decades to come. "This new grant program provides certainty and stability to our organization, which is exactly what we strive to provide to our residents,” said Rob Appleyard, Executive Director, Brentwood Community Development Group. “Housing is the foundation of community, and these grants will help us to continue building a high quality of life for low-income seniors, families and people living with disabilities.” Apart from a few exceptions, affordable housing is taxable under provincial legislation. In the past, City Council granted exemptions on a case-by-case basis. These affordable housing exemptions are vulnerable to appeal, however, since private rental spaces fall outside provincial non-profit exemption rules. The grant creates an even playing field for organizations offering housing for Edmontonians who would otherwise pay more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. Instead of difficult decisions about increased costs, organizations will be able to keep rental rates low, reinvest in maintenance and make future development plans. “We are very pleased that the City of Edmonton is providing us with this grant to offset the municipal portion of the property taxes we pay on affordable homes owned by Civida,” said Gord Johnston, CEO of Civida. “Civida will reinvest these funds in repairs and upgrades such as new flooring, new appliances, new lighting and new paint, among other items, to benefit Edmontonians who live in these approximately 900 homes across the city. We also look forward to continuing to reinvest these funds as they are made available in future years.” “We are pleased to see this grant, which will increase housing security for people in need who are living with a mental health concern,” said Gail Haynes, Senior Director of Programs & Operations for CMHA Edmonton. “We know that one in three households that include people dealing with a mental health or addictions issue are in Core Housing Need. Reducing costs and increasing affordability will ensure more people can access affordable housing and stay in their homes.” “Non-profits do an amazing job working with Edmontonians to ensure everyone has what they need to thrive,” said Erin Rutherford, Councillor Ward Anirniq. “This grant is an acknowledgement of the great work these organizations are doing in our city to support affordable housing.” The City is actively encouraging interested non-profit organizations to apply for the grant, as there may be opportunities to formalize affordable housing agreements to reflect existing offerings. The new online application process will be administered directly by the City which, at its discretion, can waive future annual applications. The grant covers 100 per cent of municipal taxes for eligible units, but does not cover provincial education tax assessed as part of the annual property tax process. Eligible residential units must be owned by a non-profit or be part of a partnership in which a non-profit entity owns at least half of the property.​

For more information: Program Guide edmonton.ca/affordable-housing-tax-grant Media contact: Brent Wittmeier Senior Marketing Strategist Communications and Engagement​

 

[IanO]

Council gives final approval for new affordable and supportive housing​

October 4, 2023 City Council gave final approval today for new affordable and supportive housing for vulnerable Edmontonians, newcomers and people with disabilities. The two developments—City-led supportive housing in Holyrood and Right At Home Housing Society’s Legacy project in King Edward Park—received $15.4 million in funding through the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative. Council approved $12.6 in new and previous contributions from the City’s affordable housing reserve for the projects; the Government of Alberta also contributed $4.9 million. “The challenges of housing affordability and houselessness are too great for the City to meet alone. All three levels of government have come together to provide affordable housing and support for Edmontonians who need it most. This is a positive sign of things to come, and I look forward to continuing down the path of collaborative leadership with my government partners as we work to build an Edmonton for all of us,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. Council also approved the sale of the Holyrood site to Homeward Trust for $1. The City is leading construction of the 4-storey, 63-unit building, which will include 12 barrier-free units for people with disabilities. It is being designed by GEC Architecture, the firm that designed the first five City-led supportive housing sites, and constructed by Synergy Projects. Once the building is complete, it will be transferred to Homeward Trust, which will select a non-profit agency to run the supportive housing program. Tenants will be matched to the program based on their needs. Right at Home Housing Society will rehabilitate and add on to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in King Edward Park, creating two wheelchair-accessible units and nine townhomes for families. Tenants will be referred by local community organizations, including Multicultural Health Brokers, Islamic Family and Social Services Association, and Spinal Cord Injury Alberta. "The Right At Home Housing Society is deeply honored to partner with St. Paul's Lutheran Church with support from the City of Edmonton, the Government of Alberta, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to create perpetually affordable housing opportunities for families and individuals requiring wheel-chair accessible housing. This funding will empower the development and operation of the St. Paul’s Legacy Project, providing crucial affordable housing solutions for our community." - Ahmed Shoaib, Acting CEO, Right at Home Housing Society​

An artists’ rendering of new supportive housing in Holyrood.​

An artists’ rendering of Right At Home Housing’s Legacy project in King Edward Park.​

​

For more information: edmonton.ca/supportivehousing Media contact: Nicole Thomas Senior Communications Advisor Community Services 780-423-5956​

 

[Barnaby]

I'm happy to see these along the Valley Line alignment. Both buildings look nice.

 

[MacLac]

Our friend Randy B will be by real soon bringing more presents! He’ll probably be here on the 4th to help smash a Champagne bottle against one of the new Bombardier trains! That way he can announce more fed Randy bucks along with commissioning a new lrt line!

 

[Kosy123]

We better get a LOT of carrots for this. Other cities might complain but we put in the work and I really do hope that the Feds shower us with cash for being the "model city".

 

[TAS]

Letter is dated Sept 22. So this was sent even before zoning bylaw renewal was approved.

 

[soupcrate]

Letter is dated Sept 22. So this was sent even before zoning bylaw renewal was approved.

I think they were fairly certain this was going to pass. From what I've heard any final doubts were wiped out on the 16th.