The affordable housing initiative will provide 10 new four-bedroom homes on the Elizabeth Metis Settlement, located about 36 kilometres south of Cold Lake. These modern homes will help to alleviate overcrowding in the community and are located close to schools, medical services, and recreation facilities. All of the homes include a large living space for family gatherings, an integral component of the Métis culture.
Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson, on behalf of Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon, and Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Ahmed Hussen, made the funding announcement.
Alberta’s government and the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will jointly contribute $2.91 million through the Canada-Alberta bilateral agreement under the National Housing Strategy. The budget is just over $3 million, which includes a $153,000 Elizabeth Metis Settlement land contribution.
The Alberta government will fund the project thought its newly redesigned Indigenous Housing Capital Program. The project will create about 21 jobs.
“Alberta’s government is proud to support the Elizabeth Metis Settlement housing initiative to provide new homes and create economic opportunity in this community. The Indigenous Housing Capital Program is intended to support housing designed, delivered and owned by, and for, Indigenous communities.”
“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable and accessible home, and this important project will provide good homes for families and address overcrowding in this community. This project is a good example of what we can accomplish when different orders of governments and Indigenous governments and organizations work together for the benefit of communities.”
“It is with great pleasure that our government, through the National Housing Strategy, is supporting initiatives like the Elizabeth Metis Settlement initiative, so that collectively, we are better able to lift vulnerable populations of all races, ages, and genders, and find a home that meets their needs. These types of investments in our communities help create new jobs and stimulate the economy, while providing access to safe, affordable homes.”
“This is a great program to support our young families who will be moving into these new houses. This is an opportunity for our people to live in their own homes, as some were living off settlement or in crowded homes with extended family. This is an important contribution to healthy living in this community.”
Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure, we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth. Alberta came together to save lives by flattening the curve and now we must do the same to save livelihoods, grow and thrive.
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy, an ambitious 10-year, $55-billion plan that will create 125,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
- The National Housing Strategy is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.
Associated links
The Alberta Ministry of Seniors and Housing fosters the development of affordable housing and supports access to housing options for Albertans most in need. The ministry works with seniors, their families and caregivers, Albertans who require housing supports and communities and other government partners. A more detailed description of the ministry and its programs and initiatives can be found at alberta.ca/ministry-seniors-housing.aspx.
Learn more about Alberta’s affordable housing programs.
As Canada’s authority on housing, 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 by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
Editor's note: This news release was also issued by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on Aug. 24, 2020.
