By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

City Council approves six-part affordable housing plan

Mar 22, 2021 | 9:19 PM

Grande Prairie City Council has approved a six-part Affordable Housing Action plan for this year and next, but not without some discussion.

The item that drew the most concern was turning 19 city properties worth $2.8 million and currently used as housing over to the Grande Spirit Foundation.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says there were two things to look at.

“The discussion was whether or not there was more value in selling the asset and using the dollars, potentially, for a housing project through another method or if transferring this asset to the Grande Spirit Foundation, in turn, which would be an asset that they could borrow against, was of better value.

“In the end, council supported the transfer of the asset to the Grande Spirit Foundation.”

The six ideas also include providing $650,000 this year and next to the Grande Spirit Foundation for a rental supplement program.

This comes as Grande Spirit Foundation has been told they will be receiving 25 per cent less funding annually for its subsidized housing program in the short-term, which equates to a loss of $750,000 a year.

READ MORE: City council advocating for provincial rent subsidy funding to be maintained

The plan also includes completing land studies to develop land in the Smith area at a cost of $100,000, and $150,000 in seed funding for a continuing care project.

City administration will also offer to consult with private and non-government organizations. There will also be a revised Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategy.

Clayton says how many people get help will vary by item.

“In some instances, we may see up to 40 to 50 individual applications that are served. Depending on what the Grande Spirit Foundation is able to do with leveraging their asset, it could be quite significant in our community.”

She adds the plan is meant to address immediate needs.

“Leveraging existing assets and seizing funding opportunities as we prepare for the future. Adopting a long-term, multi-faceted strategy is still necessary and will be a focus for administration.

“This truly just gives us an agreed-upon starting point as council continues down the road.”

Clayton says more specific criteria on the six-part plan will come out later.