The vacant land in the Smith subdivision where a new affordable housing facility will be built. Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Affordable housing project going ahead in Smith subdivision

Oct 8, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Construction is expected to start soon on a 160 unit housing facility in Grande Prairie’s Smith subdivision.

Thirty per cent of those would be affordable housing.

It will go up on 3.9 acres of vacant land near the Activity and Reception Centre.

At its meeting on Monday, council approved selling the land to Smith Social Enterprises Ltd.; a joint venture between the Grande Spirt Foundation and BA Leasing Inc., a private company from St. Albert picked through a request for proposals process.

Foundation CAO Steve Madden says construction should start within a few weeks.

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“(We were) just waiting for council to make this motion to make sure we had the ownership of the land, and I think they’re going to start within the next couple weeks out there, right away.”

“Design is all done. It’s been submitted for (a) development permit. My understanding is it might be approved fairly shortly. Other permits such as foundation and building permit are going to follow really quickly… the foundation one within a few weeks.”

He adds the hope is construction would happen through 2025 with occupancy starting in 2026,

“Our immediate need is based on our wait list. City council has pointed out the affordability area, which is 30 per cent of those units, of the 160 units.”

“We have a wait list right now and it’s in the 800 range of applicants that are looking for some type of affordable housing in the community.”

He adds this housing will be for all age groups, not just seniors.

“Grande Spirit is well-known for our seniors work. We’re well-known for the lodges that we have and the seniors that we house.”

“Often forgotten is the families we also house, which is of equal amount. We have about 2,000 families that we actually provide housing for, whether it’s seniors or young families.”

Mayor Jackie Clayton says with Grande Prairie’s vacancy rate near zero, there is a great need for housing.

“There are very limited opportunities for rentals. However, this project is something we’ve been working with (the) Grande Spirit Foundation for a while now, to try to get that Smith land subdivision partnership going.”

Mayor Jackie Clayton says the sooner this is built, the better.

“We hear on a regular basis (that) there are people that are still sharing accommodations, people looking for accommodations and it’s a growing concern that council hears of on a regular basis.”

The appraised value of the land was $1.7 million.

Photo credit: City of Grande Prairie.