New affordable housing projects announced for Lethbridge
By Tim Kalinowski on July 22, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDtkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com The Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada announced two new affordable housing projects for seniors and Indigenous women and children in Lethbridge.Alberta Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon took part in two groundbreaking ceremonies, one in Coulee Creek and one near Blackfoot Lodge, on Monday alongside Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson, Deputy Mayor Mark Campbell, who represented the City, Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf, and Coun. Blaine Hyggen.
The Coulee Creek seniors housing facility will have 64 units, and will incorporate a mixed income model where residents will pay what they can afford based on income rather than a set dollar figure per unit. The Government of Canada and Alberta contributed $3.4 million toward the project which is expected to create 91 jobs in the city.
“Homes for Albertans is important,” said Pon. “As affordable housing minister this is my job to make sure that we have enough affordable housing- we are trying at least- to reduce people on the waitlist.”
“Obviously, affordable housing for seniors,” said Neudorf, “is one of our biggest challenges as one of the central communities in southern Alberta. With a lot of the other amenities we have, we find a lot of seniors relocating to Lethbridge for their retirement.”
Lethbridge Housing Authority CAO Robin James said she was excited to see construction finally commencing for the new Coulee Creek facility, and she expected the building would be complete and ready for residents by March of next year.
“It’s ensuring seniors that have lower incomes have choices and options on where they want to live and how they want to live,” she explained. “These complexes are significantly different than our current high rise complexes; so it will give some choices for those in need.”
James explained each unit will have its own front door directly leading in from outside, be pet friendly and have a much larger yard space for the residents to walk around, or welcome guests, rather than having to pass through a shared common lobby or corridor with other residents to access their suites.
Across town later in the afternoon, Minister Pon announced another $3.4 million in funding from provincial government’s Indigenous Housing Capital Program, which is federally supported through the National Housing Strategy as well.
The money will be spent to add 14 safe and stable transitional housing units for Blackfoot women and their children who are relocating from the Kainai, Siksika and Piikani reserves through the Blackfoot Lodge Family Society.
Blackfoot Lodge Family Society Board chair Lance Tailfeathers said he was pleased to welcome all guests to the Blackfoot Lodge to share the exciting news.
“Blackfoot Family Lodge is very excited about finally having the opportunity to 14 housing units and securding the resources to provide a beautiful, stable home for hundreds of Indigenous women in transition to the City of Lethbridge,” stated Tailfeathers. “This will provide them the support and necessary tools to assist them in relocating to an urban setting and having access to affordable housing.”
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