ENOCH CREE NATION, AB,
May 10,
2024 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Alberta are providing nearly
$66 million to help
build 335 new affordable housing units and 129 shelter
beds for those in housing need across Alberta. This investment
is cost-matched by both governments thanks to the Canada – Alberta Bilateral Agreement under the
National Housing Strategy.
The funding, delivered through the Affordable Housing
Partnership Program (AHPP), will support a range of initiatives,
including the development of new affordable housing for Indigenous
elders, seniors, families, newcomers, and women and children. Other
projects will include specialized housing and support for
vulnerable Albertans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,
are fleeing domestic violence, and/or struggling with mental health
and addiction issues.
The announcement was made in Enoch Cree Nation today by the
Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce
Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for
Edmonton Centre, alongside Jason
Nixon, Alberta Minister of
Seniors, Community and Social Services, and Chief Cody Thomas, Chief of the Enoch Cree Nation.
Funding has been provided for the following 8 projects:
- $25 million for Enoch Cree Nation
to build a mixed-income elders lodge on the reserve.
- $21.2 million for the Metis
Nation of Alberta to construct housing for people recovering from
addictions in Edmonton.
- $9.5 million to Trochu Housing
Corporation to build seniors housing in Trochu.
- $4 million to the Lethbridge
Housing Authority to build a homeless shelter in Lethbridge.
- $2.2 million for Concept
Investment Partners to build affordable, accessible housing for
older Albertans in Lethbridge.
- $1.9 million for HeARTh Social
Profit Company Incorporated to convert a hotel into supportive
housing for people recovering from addiction in Red Deer.
- $1.6 million to build affordable
housing in Lake Louise.
- $340,000 to the Winnifred Stewart
Association to build permanent supportive housing in Edmonton.
Quotes:
"The National Housing Strategy demonstrates that when
Governments and local organizations work together to support
housing – anything is possible. Hundreds of Albertans seeking
refuge will benefit from these projects, providing them with a
safe, affordable home and a better quality of life."
– The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for
Edmonton Centre, Alberta and Minister of Employment, Workforce
Development and Official Languages
"Through long-term collaboration with our non-profits, housing
providers, and community partners, we are ensuring we can deliver
new, innovative, and sustainable housing solutions that address
local needs. Together, we're making sure Albertans have a place to
lay down roots, a place to raise their families and most
importantly, a safe and affordable place to call home." –
Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors,
Community and Social Services
"Enoch Elder's Lodge stands as a
testament to our collective commitment to honouring and supporting
our elders, ensuring they have a place where their wisdom is
cherished, and our community thrives. This has been a priority for
our Nation for decades, and a key pillar for our Council since
taking office in 2023. I am pleased to see the Provincial and
Federal government come together in this way, and I believe this
can be the first of many Elder's Lodges on First Nation lands
across Turtle Island. With this $25
million funding commitment, we embark on a journey to
construct a sanctuary where generations connect, stories are
shared, and the legacy of our elders endures." – Chief
Cody Thomas, Enoch Cree
Nation
Quick facts:
- Canada's National Housing
Strategy (NHS) is an $82+ billion plan to give more Canadians a
place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives are
updated quarterly at http://www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing
Funding Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have
been developed.
- As of September 30, 2023, the
Government of Canada has committed
over $38.89 billion for the creation
of almost 152,000 and repair of over 241,000 homes. These measures
prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous
Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women
and children fleeing violence.
- NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal,
provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement
with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and
organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This
includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and
people with lived experience of housing need.
- All NHS investments delivered by the federal, provincial, and
territorial governments will respect the key principles of NHS that
support partnerships, people, and communities.
- The Affordable Housing Partnership Program (AHPP) is part of
Alberta's Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy to
support an additional 25,000 households by 2031 — an increase
of more than 40 per cent.
- In December 2022, Alberta's
government launched the Affordable Housing Partnership Program to
build and renovate more affordable housing units across the
province. This program partners with local organizations,
governments, and housing providers to build housing that meets the
needs of the community it will serve.
- AHPP is cost-matched through the Canada – Alberta
Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
- The first round of funding for the Affordable Housing
Partnership Program closed January 11, 2023. The program will
open again to applications this spring.
- A 10-year agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta was
signed on March 8, 2019. The agreement will invest
$678 million — $339 million from the Government of
Canada and $339 million from
the Government of Alberta — to protect, renew and expand social and
community housing in Alberta.
Additional Information:
- Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of
Canada housing information.
- 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. CMHC's aim
is that everyone in Canada has a
home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more
information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and
Facebook.
- To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please
visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)