With financial support from local organizations, the City of Calgary is committing nearly $14 million to three new affordable housing projects, according to an announcement by Mayor Jyoti Gondek Thursday.
One of those projects is a $600,000 fund to help Calgarians who can’t afford their first and last month’s rent. The project is funded equally by the city, the Calgary Homeless Foundation and the United Way of Calgary and Area.
“Housing is and remains an intersectional and wicked challenge that requires partnerships and ideas from all levels of government, nonprofits and industry to meet the challenge,” Gondek said at Thursday’s press conference at City Hall.
The city is also selling three lots to nonprofit organizations to build more affordable housing. There are also grants of up to $7.5 million for developers to speed up the construction process.
According to Gondek, $6 million will also be allocated to a grant program specifically for urban indigenous housing initiatives or organizations. The mayor gave no details on the program but said details would be announced next month and applications would be accepted in June.
The city is contributing $13.7 million to the three new initiatives, while $400,000 will be provided by the Calgary Homeless Foundation and the United Way of Calgary and Area for the rent subsidy program.
Gondek said the city’s contributions to these three initiatives were all approved during budget deliberations last November.
Land sold below market value for affordable developers
Tim Ward, the city’s housing solutions manager, said on the land sales program that the city will sell land to not-for-profit housing providers at a below-market price.
Developers will receive up to $75,000 per unit to help cover construction costs.
“They can then use other government directives or philanthropic contributions to complete construction,” Ward said at Thursday’s news conference.
Gondek said the city’s grants will help expedite development of these housing units.
“Possibly 100 units could be reached with the amount we’re investing, and we’re expecting some pretty good ideas from our partners on how to maximize those lots,” the mayor said.
“The need is great”
Patricia Jones, CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, said about 1,700 people are on her organization’s triage list waiting for shelter.
“The need is great. The need is also great for people with higher complexities, so it’s one tool in a very large toolbox,” Jones said of the first and last month’s rent subsidy program.
Karen Young, president and CEO of the United Way of Calgary and Area, said the rent subsidy would break down barriers to citizens not only being able to afford housing but also basic needs like food, medicine and education.
“It’s something Calgarians need now more than ever,” Young said. “So we not only have people affected by homelessness, but also people who are on the verge of becoming homeless.”
She added, “By providing these supports, all-round supports, in communities, we can ensure that people can stay at home or have the opportunity to come into a home to have a good life.”
