OKOTOKS,
AB, June 21, 2024 /CNW/ - The federal
government provided over $1.3 million
for 10 new affordable homes in Okotoks. The investment for this project was
made through the government's Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), along
with a combined investment with the provincial government of over
$200,000 through the Affordable
Housing Partnership Program (AHPP).
The announcement took place yesterday at Drake Towns Affordable
Housing Complex in Okotoks. The
development, which is now fully occupied, is a 10-unit townhome
consisting of two to three-bedroom apartments with priority given
to providing homes for women fleeing violence.
Funding for this project is as follows:
- $1.36 million from the federal
government through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF)
- $227,000 of federal and
provincial funding through the Canada-Alberta Bilateral Agreement
under the National Housing Strategy (NHS)
- $150,000 from the Town of Okotoks
- $368,000 from Coal Trail
Residence
- $1.08 million from Westwinds
Communities
Quotes:
"The federal government recognizes the importance of providing
more homes for our most vulnerable Canadians. We are committed to
working with our provincial partners and organizations like
Westwinds to ensure that people in every province and region have
access to safe, affordable homes. Today's good news in Okotoks is one example of our National Housing
Strategy continuing to work, and I am pleased to see developments
like Drake Towns fully occupied with residents of the community who
need housing the most." – George
Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview on behalf
of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure
and Communities
"Alberta's government is proud
to have supported this project through the Affordable Housing
Partnership Program. Drake Towns is an example of what we can
achieve when all levels of government work with community partners
to build the homes our province needs. We can get more homes like
these ones built faster, so that vulnerable and low income
Albertans have a safe and affordable home available to them."
– Jason Nixon - Minister of
Seniors, Community, and Social Services
"Establishing partnerships is crucial to advancing affordable
housing projects. We are very grateful for Westwinds Communities,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Province of
Alberta for investing in our
community and to Partners Development Group for supporting this
project. Drake Towns exemplifies the success of public-private
collaboration." – Mayor Tanya
Thorn, Town of
Okotoks
"The Drake Towns project demonstrates the steadfast
determination of the Town of
Okotoks to develop affordable housing partnerships and the
strong support of the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social
Services, and CMHC to ensure much needed viable local affordable
housing options." – Don Herring,
Chairperson, Westwinds Communities
"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended
yesterday's grand opening, and for the Westwinds team who made
the event a resounding success. Reflecting on the discussions,
speeches, and feedback from yesterday's event, I'm reminded
that Drake Towns is more than just a housing complex. It's a
representation of our community's collective effort to address
housing challenges and create a supportive environment for our
tenants." – Lauren Ingalls, CAO,
Westwinds Communities.
Quick facts:
- The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is part of
Canada's National Housing
Strategy (NHS). The NHS is an $82+ billion plan to give
more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and
initiatives are updated quarterly at www.placetocallhome.ca.
The Housing Funding Initiatives Map shows affordable housing
projects that have been developed.
- As of March 2024, the federal
government has committed $50.97
billion to support the creation of over 146,000 units and
the repair of over 286,000 units. These measures prioritize those
in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people
experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children
fleeing violence.
- 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.
- The Canada – Alberta bilateral Agreement is a 10-year
agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta. 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.
- For more information about Drake Towns and our ongoing
projects, please contact:
Lauren Ingalls, CAO, Westwinds
Communities at lauren.ingalls@westwindscommunities.ca
SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)