Two local organizations are hoping to cash in on the next round of affordable housing money announced by the province.
The government announced Thursday it is putting up $188 million for its next call for proposals. Groups have until Sept. 24 to submit their bids.
The St. Albert Housing Society will take another crack at securing funding for phase one of its Big Lake Pointe affordable housing project. This first phase is to be a four-storey complex with 48 rental units.
The society applied to this same grant program last year but was turned down. The city has since spent $2.3 million to purchase land in North Ridge, which should strengthen the society's bid this time around, said executive director Doris Vandersteen.
"We believe we have a really strong project. There's a strong need in St. Albert. All of the criteria is there to have a project selected," she said.
The city's affordable housing plans say St. Albert needs between 3,500 to 4,000 rental units to address current needs.
Last year the estimated cost of building this first phase was $11 million but the project will be re-costed for this bid process, Vandersteen said.
"We know there'll be lots of competition for the funding but we will put forward a really strong project," she said.
Foundation seeks dollars for disabled adults
The Sturgeon Foundation will also be applying to the grant program. The Morinville-based non-profit organization will seek about $4 million to add onto its North Ridge Lodge in St. Albert, said executive director Marguerite Bosvik.
The foundation is ready to build a 42-unit addition for adults with disabilities. It also applied last year but was also turned down.
Bosvik believes there's still a need in the community but doesn't know how to rate her chances of securing a grant this year.
"I have no idea. I know that there's so many worthy projects," she said.
She feels her bid will be helped by the successful completion of a 48-unit phase one addition to the lodge, which was completed last year using modular construction, with $8 million worth of help from the province.
"We had our occupancy permit within seven months and we had people moved in in 10 months," Bosvik said.
"We've demonstrated that we can do it in a very quick period of time. The government has specified shovel-ready and we have done that."
With its affordable housing program, the province is looking for projects that represent a partnership between the public and private sectors, said Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jonathan Denis.
"Partnerships allow us to build more units using funding in the most efficient way and to tailor projects to meet the unique needs of the community," he said.
Applicants must show a need in the community and a five-year projection for revenue and operating costs, Denis said. For a rental housing development to be considered affordable, rents must be at least 10 per cent below market rates. All successful projects are expected to maintain affordable rents or payments for a minimum of 20 years.
