November 9, 2020
The City is helping create safe, suitable and long term housing options for all Edmontonians by offering grants to developers for affordable and supportive housing.
“This pandemic has amplified deep inequalities that we must strive to address, including the issue of homelessness exasperated by the city's shortage of affordable and supportive housing,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “By encouraging the development of affordable and supportive housing this grant program brings us closer to our goal of ending homelessness in Edmonton by providing the safety, stability and opportunity that only housing can provide and that all Edmontonians deserve.“
The second round of the
Affordable Housing Investment Program will offer grants for new construction projects as well as the refurbishment of existing housing units. The grants will cover up to 25 per cent of capital construction costs and are available to eligible nonprofit and private sector organizations. Applications are due by February 18, 2021.
“COVID-19 has shown how quickly and unexpectedly health and employment status can change. Stable, affordable housing helps prevent housing insecurity and homelessness, particularly in times of uncertainty,” said Christel Kjenner, the City’s Director of Affordable Housing and Homelessness. “The City is committed to working with housing providers to fill the affordable and supportive housing gap.”
The $133 million Affordable Housing Investment Plan was approved in 2018 with the goal of creating 2,500 new units by 2022 through grants, surplus school site redevelopment and supportive housing development. The City surpassed the halfway mark in fall 2020, with support approved for 1,307 new units.
