BANFF, AB, Oct. 23, 2018 /CNW/ - Individuals and families in rural Alberta communities will soon have access to housing that meets their needs via an ambitious new shipping container housing proposal, with plans to roll out similar projects across the country.
Through the National Housing Strategy's Affordable Housing Innovation Fund, the Government of Canada is allocating $10 million to support the Alberta Rural Development Network's (ARDN) Sustainable Housing Initiative (SHI) which will see the development of at least 8 energy-efficient affordable housing shipping container projects. The initiative's first phase seeks to create up to 467 rental units over the next two years.
The Honourable Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Cam Westhead, MLA for Banff-Cochrane, on behalf of Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Seniors and Housing, made the announcement today.
The YWCA Banff Courtyard Project is the first under this new initiative to be announced. The 33 unit, 3-story cost effective project will meet net-zero targets for energy efficiency and provide affordable rental housing for up to 78 residents who face barriers to finding suitable accommodation. The Courtyard will be ideal for women, new and extended families, individuals, and with a least four suites that are barrier free, people with accessibility needs.
ARDN is developing a toolkit to guide local governments and community organizations to stimulate new affordable housing development. The toolkit will save community groups time and money by providing free, comprehensive, step-by-step guidelines on how to successfully develop, build and manage affordable housing projects.
The guide will be based on the initial eight projects, which include a variety of owner/operator models such as private developers, not-for-profit groups and local municipal governments. The first edition of the guide will be launched early next year and will be updated after all 8 projects are completed.
Quotes
"If you don't have a home, it's very difficult to build a life. Investment in affordable housing is critical to ensuring that Canadian communities continue to thrive. Our Government is proud to support innovative organizations like ARDN as they work to design efficient, forward-thinking housing solutions that not only work here in Alberta, but could easily be replicated in rural communities across the country. Cultivating bold new ideas like this is exactly what the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund is all about." – The Honourable Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre
"Everyone should have access to a safe and affordable home. I am proud of our government's investment in much needed affordable housing across the province. These new homes for women and their families will help those who need it the most." – The Honourable Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Alberta Seniors and Housing
"Over the past three years, our Sustainable Housing Initiative team has been working hard to break down barriers and support the efforts of organizations and municipalities who want to increase their community's inventory of affordable housing. Through our understanding of rural needs, we have created a process that will help rural communities successfully develop affordable housing while saving time and money. I believe the YWCA Banff Courtyard project will act as a landmark development that will redefine how affordable housing is built in rural communities across Canada." – Joshua Bénard, Director, Sustainable Housing Initiative ARDN
"Creating a sense of home is so much more than just a building and the Innovation Fund gave ARDN and the YWCA creative space to think differently about our approach to design. Living in Banff National Park also strongly influenced our commitment to net zero targets. Belonging, security, connection, affordability, community pride—these are all factors that have influenced how we developed the Courtyard." – Connie MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Banff
Quick Facts
Associated Links
As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
For more information about the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund or to apply, please visit https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/nhs/affordable-housing-innovation-fund
SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Media Contacts: Valérie Glazer, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546, [email protected]; Gabriel Teo, Public Affairs, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 604 376-4622, [email protected]
Also from this source
Share this article