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New affordable housing projects to benefit Aboriginal families across Alberta

January 31, 2008
New affordable housing projects to benefit Aboriginal families across Alberta

Edmonton... Low-income Aboriginal families will benefit from the development of 179 new affordable housing units in 16 communities across Alberta. The over $16 million funding injection will also cover needed repairs to 85 existing affordable housing units located in northern Alberta.

These projects are from year two of a three-year, $48 million Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Program that the Alberta government is delivering on behalf of the federal government. Under the program, the province allocates funding to priority affordable housing projects.

“These projects will provide needed safe, affordable housing for low-income Aboriginal families and individuals living off-reserve, who require assistance in securing affordable housing,” said Ray Danyluk, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government is proud to be a partner in increasing the supply and access to quality, affordable, sustainable housing for Aboriginals throughout our province.”

The 16 communities benefitting from this funding include: Calgary, Cardston, East Prairie Métis Settlement, Elizabeth Métis Settlement (Cold Lake and Bonnyville), Edmonton, Faust, Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, Grande Cache, Grande Prairie, Grouard, Lethbridge, Magrath, Municipal District of Opportunity, and Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement.

“The Government of Canada is committed to creating affordable housing for Aboriginals and Métis in Alberta and across the country,” said Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. “As a result of these projects, Aboriginals and Métis families on low-incomes and living off-reserve, will have access to safe, quality housing at an affordable cost, helping them to start a new page in their lives.”

This investment is part of the Alberta government’s five-year strategy to create more than 11,000 affordable housing units in the province. This funding addresses the immediate housing pressures as identified in the Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force report, and supports the Alberta government’s long-term capital plan.

Addressing affordable housing and homelessness is part of Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan to secure Alberta’s future by building communities, greening our growth and creating opportunity.

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Backgrounder: Approved Off-Reserve Aboriginal Affordable Housing projects

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Robert Storrier, Communications
Municipal Affairs and Housing
780-427-8862

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Backgrounder
January 31, 2008

Approved Off-Reserve Aboriginal Affordable Housing projects

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Aseniwuche Winewak Nation
Grande Cache (various locations)
Low-income Aboriginal families, seniors, individuals and those with special needs
20 units (Funding for repairs for existing units)
$400,000
$400,000
Rachelle McDonald, Special Projects Manager 780‑827‑5510

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Blood Tribe Administration/Blood Tribe Housing Authority
For projects located in Calgary, Cardston, Lethbridge, and Magrath
Low-income Aboriginal families and individuals
50 units (Funding for home ownership assistance)
$1,144,000
$1,100,000
Darlene Plume, Seniors Executive Office, Blood Tribe Administration 403‑737‑8104

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Siksika Family Services Corporation      
Various locations in Calgary
Low-income Aboriginal families, individuals and those with special needs
35 units (a combination of affordable, transitional and supportive units)
$6,500,000
$4,550,000
Everett Jerry, Executive Director and CEO 403‑734‑5140

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

East Prairie Métis Settlement
Various locations on the settlement
Low-income Métis families and individuals
Five units
$867,500
$607,250
Joan Haggerty, Grants and Programs, East Prairie Métis Settlement 780‑523‑2594 Ext. 224

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Elizabeth Métis Settlement
Various locations in Cold Lake, Bonnyville and surrounding communities
Low-income Aboriginal and Aboriginal families and individuals
10 units (Home ownership assistance)
$200,000
$200,000
Zane Collins, Vice-Chair Elizabeth Métis Settlement 780‑594‑5026

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Heart River Housing
Faust - Grouard
Low-income Aboriginal families
Eight units
$1,400,000
$980,000
Patricia Billings, Chief Administrative Officer 780‑523‑5282

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Fishing Lake Métis Settlement
Various locations on the settlement
Low-income Métis families, individuals, seniors and those with special needs
11 units
$1,764,422
$1,235,095
Wayne Anderson, Manager, Housing and Public Works 780‑943‑2202

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

City of Grande Prairie
Various locations in Grande Prairie
Low-income Aboriginal families and individuals
24 units (Home ownership assistance)
$496,320
$494,855
Greg Scerbak, Community Services Director, City of Grande Prairie 780‑583‑0383

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Wabasca Desmarais Housing Authority Society
Various locations in Wabasca-Desmarais area
Low-income Aboriginal families or individuals
65 units (Funding for repairs for existing units)
$913,000
$913,000 
Angella Auger, Chief Administrative Officer 780‑891‑2877

Applicant:
Project Address:
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Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

O’Chiese First Nation
Various locations in Edmonton   
Student housing for Band members attending post-secondary institutions
16 units
$3,339,400
$2,337,580
Alice Peters, Manager 780-844-7925

Applicant:
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Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement
Various locations on the settlement
Low-income Métis families
10 units
$1,891,742
$1,324,220
Greg Calliou, Chairperson 780-926-2134

Applicant:
Project Address:
Target Clients:
Number of Units:
Total Project Cost:
Total Grant Funding:
Contact:

Portage College
St. Paul
Students and/or families with students in attendance at Portage College, St. Paul campus
10 units
$3,189,797
$2,000,000
Nancy Broadbent, Vice-President Student and College Services 780‑623‑5522

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Robert Storrier, Communications
Municipal Affairs and Housing
780-427-8862

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

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