City council committed more than $3 million for two affordable housing projects on Tuesday night.
The commitments would see the city spend $2.3 million on a land purchase for the St. Albert Housing Society’s planned 96-unit apartment complex for low-income families, among other costs. Council also upheld a previous $750,000 commitment to the Sturgeon Foundation for the second phase of redevelopment at North Ridge Lodge.
“Affordable housing needs to be a priority and this is an opportunity for us to take a huge step forward,” said Coun. Gareth Jones during the debate.
The agreement to fund the housing society’s land purchase was made with the caveat of getting the approval of the Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs, because it’s a change to the city’s affordable housing plan.
Both commitments hinge on the projects qualifying for additional provincial grant dollars. Neither made the short list last year, a result of what both groups blamed on a lack of dollars from the province.
Sturgeon Foundation executive director Marguerite Bosvik said they would wait to see what the province’s guidelines are for this year’s bidding process before altering their application.
“I’m sure they have a very difficult job to do,” said Bosvik about the province’s decisions on reviewing grant applications. “We are going to review proposals and see if there is anything else to add.”
The housing society’s project — Big Lake Pointe Affordable Housing — would be located on 3.2 acres in North Ridge. The land is currently zoned for medium density apartment buildings but the exact location is confidential pending a successful sale.
The project would accommodate both individuals and families in need of affordable rental housing.
Doris Vandersteen, housing society executive director, said she was pleased council decided to support the land sale. With that hurdle behind them, the society can move forward on finding ways to fund the rest of the project — pegged at $11 million over two phases —even if the provincial grant doesn’t materialize.
“We’re feeling very appreciative that council is approving the purchase of this land,” she said later in an interview. “We’re just so excited about having the land because it gives us so many opportunities.”
Should the province reject the society’s bid, Vandersteen said the organization would look at forming other partnerships to make the project happen.
Chris Jardine, general manager community and protective services, said administration has notified the province about the change in the affordable housing plan, and is working on an updated version. The current landowner has also been apprised, he said.
“It doesn’t appear there will be significant delays,” he said. “I’m optimistic it will go through.”
A spokesperson for the Housing and Urban Affairs said the request for proposal process does not open up until later this spring.
The two commitments completely exhaust the city’s remaining affordable housing grants.
