A tight deadline to apply for new affordable housing money is a surprise to the St. Albert Housing Society, which is trying to revamp a rental project in time to submit by July 8.
The province announced a $100-million request for proposals this week. It's the same program that's rolled out the previous two years but the deadline is about two months shorter.
"We're a little bit caught by surprise by how quick it is," said David McGreer, board chair for the St. Albert Housing Society. "We knew that it would be a short time frame but I don't think anybody was expecting it to be that quick."
The society has failed with applications for two years in a row. The latest application failed because its costs were higher than other projects. This has society officials thinking that a substantial change is required so they're revisiting the design, possibly looking for a different architect and builder, McGreer said.
He's planning a 48-unit rental development but will likely seek funding for fewer units.
"We are revisiting the project because of the cost concern and also to be sure that we have a plan that can go forward without provincial government money in case we're not successful," he said.
The city spent $2.3 million on 1.3 hectares in North Ridge for the society's Big Lake Pointe project. The city is still holding onto the land pending the outcome of the society's efforts to develop the site.
The provincial funding is part of the government's commitment to build 11,000 new affordable housing units by 2012, an initiative that is ahead of schedule, said Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jonathan Denis.
St. Albert MLA Ken Allred wasn't sure why the deadline is shorter this year but he didn't think it was because of a leadership vote that's scheduled for September.
He didn't think the tighter deadline was overly onerous on groups looking to resubmit previous projects.
"I can appreciate that they need to tweak their proposal to make sure they're successful this time but I'm surprised they need that much time, really," he said.
Sturgeon Foundation eager to apply
Another local project is shovel-ready and its proponent is eager to re-apply after failing to secure funding through last year's RFP.
The Sturgeon Foundation will re-apply for a 42-unit addition to North Ridge Lodge that would have units for seniors, adults with disabilities and the homeless, said executive director Marguerite Bosvik.
She feels her project has a good chance this year.
"I won't quit until I get further funding," she said. "We'll just keep trying because it's very much needed."
She successfully completed a modular addition a year ago but is considering whether a site-built project would be more cost-effective this time as it would save on transportation costs. She's not worried about the deadline.
"I've done an awful lot of legwork so I really don't think it's going to be much of a problem for me," she said.
