EDMONTON, Alberta, January 7, 2005 — Approximately $19.6 million in federal and provincial funds will be allocated to five affordable housing projects and will create 432 affordable housing units in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Stony Plain, and Villeneuve. The funding will be allocated to projects funded under the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Joe Fontana, federal Minister of Labour and Housing and the Honourable Yvonne Fritz, provincial Minister of Seniors and Community Supports.
"Federal funding is able to help meet the housing needs of seniors and families in these neighbourhoods, particularly those who need it the most," said Minister Fontana. "These affordable housing units will provide a fresh start for local tenants and allow them to remain active members of the community."
"The need for low-cost rental housing in Alberta exists in Calgary and Edmonton as well as in smaller communities like Villeneuve and Stony Plain so it pleases me that we are able to partner with these communities to create affordable housing for lower-income residents," said Fritz. "These five projects truly exemplify a commitment on our part to work with the federal government to improve the quality of life for lower-income Albertans."
Funding for the projects is part of the $134 million in federal and provincial funding allocated under the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program Agreement that was signed in June 2002.
To date, more than $104 million of that funding has been allocated towards the creation of 2,367 affordable housing units throughout the province. These communities now include: Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Canmore, Cochrane, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, the MD of Greenview, Hythe, Leduc, Lethbridge, the MD of Opportunity, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Stony Plain, Villeneuve, and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Federal and provincial contributions to affordable housing projects are enhanced by contributions from other partners including municipalities, local community housing authorities, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies.
Details of the affordable housing projects announced today can be found in the accompanying backgrounders. For more information on the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program, visit the Alberta Seniors and Community Supports website at www.seniors.gov.ab.ca.
Ed Conway
Alberta Seniors and Community Supports
Communications
Ph: (780) 415-9950
Jason Cobb
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Communications
Ph: (403) 515-2903
| Project Name / Location: | Holy Cross Manor — Calgary |
| Applicant: | Holy Cross Manor |
| Project Address: | 2310 — 2 Street SW (1950 Building) |
| Target Clients: | Low-income families and seniors |
| Number of Units: | 130 units |
| Unit type: | 65 x studio/bachelor units 65 x one-bedroom units |
| Proposed Rents: | Studio/bachelor units $455 per month One-bedroom units $590 per month |
| Total Project Cost: | $9,947,750 |
| CAAHP Grant: | $2,275,000 (Federal) $2,275,000(Provincial) |
| Other contributions: | $1,974,591 (Holy Cross Manor) $2,556,666 (Land — Holy Cross Manor) |
| Contact: | Nancy Chung, Manager — Holy Cross Manor Ph: (403) 286-3335 |
| Project Name / Location: | Claridge East — Edmonton |
| Applicant: | Bridgeton Properties Inc. |
| Project Address: | 3147 — 151 Avenue |
| Target Clients: | Low-income working families and working singles |
| Number of Units: | 99 units |
| Unit type: | 41 x one-bedroom units 58 x two-bedroom units |
| Proposed Rents: | One-bedroom units $529 per month Two-bedroom units $650 per month |
| Total Project Cost: | $8,960,000 |
| CAAHP Grant: | $2,475,000 (Federal) $2,475,000 (Provincial) |
| Other contributions: | $1,010,000 (Bridgeton Properties Inc. — Equity contribution) |
| Contact: | Gordon Wilson, Project Manager — Bridgeton Properties Inc. Ph: (780) 441-5800 |
| Project Name / Location: | Millennium Village Apartments - Fort McMurray |
| Applicant: | Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation |
| Project Address: | Parsons Creek Drive / Powder Drive |
| Target Clients: | Low-income families, singles, couples, and low-income subsidized clients |
| Number of Units: | 106 units |
| Unit type: | 73 x one-bedroom units 33 x two-bedroom units |
| Proposed Rents: | One-bedroom units $535 — $630 per month Two-bedroom units $835 per month |
| Total Project Cost: | $10,983,000 |
| CAAHP Grant: | $2,650,000 (Federal) $2,650,000 (Provincial) |
| Other contributions: | $583,000 (Land — Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation) |
| Contact: | Gillis Huizinga, Chief Administrative Officer Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation Ph: (780) 799-4050 |
| Project Name / Location: | Whispering Waters Manor (Phase Two) — Stony Plain |
| Applicant: | Meridian Foundation |
| Project Address: | 5303 — 47 Street |
| Target Clients: | Low-income seniors |
| Number of Units: | 42 units |
| Unit type: | 32 x studio/bachelor units 2 x one-bedroom units 8 x one-bedroom (double occupancy) units |
| Proposed Rents: | Studio/bachelor units $344 per month One-bedroom units $414 per month |
| Total Project Cost: | $4,370,000 |
| CAAHP Grant: | $1,050,000 (Federal) $1,050,000 (Provincial) |
| Other contributions: | $270,000 (Meridian Foundation) |
| Contact: | Alice Markland, Executive Director —Meridian Foundation Ph: (780) 963-2149 |
| Project Name / Location: | West Sturgeon Seniors Residence — Villeneuve |
| Applicant: | West Sturgeon Aging in Place Foundation |
| Project Address: | n/a |
| Target Clients: | Low-income seniors |
| Number of Units: | 55 units (total of 64 units of which 55 are affordable) |
| Unit type: | 18 x studio/bachelor units 25 x one-bedroom units 12 x units (Alzheimer Pod) |
| Proposed Rents: | Studio/bachelor units $440 per month One-bedroom units $520 per month Two-bedroom units $640 per month Alzheimer units $450 per month |
| Total Project Cost: | $7,512,507 |
| CAAHP Grant: | $1,375,000 (Federal) $1,375,000 (Provincial) |
| Other contributions: | $181,000 (West Sturgeon Aging in Place Foundation) $140,000 (Fundraising) $128,000 (Fire protection grant) $900,000 (Promissory Note) $4,214 (interest waived) |
| Contact: | Colleen Soetaert, Chairperson West Sturgeon Aging in Place Foundation Ph: (780) 459-3233 |