Federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen and Alberta Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon, along with Gale Katchur, mayor of Fort Saskatchewan, and Joanne Vanderheyden, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, announced the details at an online event.

The development is being built using an innovative design that incorporates traditional wood construction and modular elements like shipping containers. In addition, it will provide accessible accommodations while bringing its energy performance to net-zero levels. The building will be named Muriel Ross Abdurahman Court, in honour of the former MLA and Fort Saskatchewan mayor.

This project created about 121 jobs during the planning, design and construction phases of the development. Permanent jobs will be added once the facility is operational. Residents are expected to start moving into their new homes in fall 2022.

The new four-storey apartment building, owned and operated by Heartland Housing Foundation, was built on land donated by the City of Fort Saskatchewan, located next to Dr. Turner Lodge. It will help ensure low-income seniors, individuals and families in the Fort Saskatchewan area can remain in their community.

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Our government is committed to helping those who need it most, which is why we are pleased to partner with our provincial and municipal counterparts, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Heartland Housing Foundation to make a real difference in the lives of people here in Fort Saskatchewan and everywhere in Canada. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”

Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

“The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with all levels of government, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Heartland Housing Foundation to provide funding that will benefit modest-income families and individuals in Fort Saskatchewan. This will have a positive impact on residents and contribute to building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.”

Randy Boissonnault, federal Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, and MP for Edmonton Centre

“Housing is the foundation for a bright and prosperous future. These beautiful new homes will provide the stability residents need to improve their lives and financial situations. Thanks to our strategic partnerships, innovative projects like this are helping us meet the diverse housing needs of Albertans, now and in the future.”

Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing

“This 83-unit new development will help low-income families and seniors in Fort Saskatchewan and area improve their lives and financial stability.”

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville

“The City of Fort Saskatchewan is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, Heartland Housing Foundation and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to help provide this new affordable housing in our community. This is a much-needed project, and we are grateful to all the organizations who made it a reality.”

Gale Katchur, mayor, City of Fort Saskatchewan

“Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change and climate action, and communities of all sizes are showing climate leadership at a time when we need it most. The investments we are seeing today through the Green Municipal Fund empower municipalities to get results on the ground. We deliver results with our partners – helping cities and communities tackle affordable housing challenges, create jobs and build a greener, more sustainable country. Together, we are on the path to net zero.”

Joanne Vanderheyden, president, Federation of Canadian Municipalities

“Heartland Housing Foundation is proud of this partnership to bring 83 units of much-needed below-market rentals to the City of Fort Saskatchewan. Demand for these units is already quite high, and we are pleased to see how the community has embraced this development. Our hope is that Muriel Ross Abdurahman Court will be a place that generations of leaders – like Muriel herself – will grow up and thrive in an inclusive and vibrant community.”

Mike Derbyshire, board chair, Heartland Housing Foundation

This project was made possible through partnerships with the Government of Canada, Energy Efficiency Canada, City of Fort Saskatchewan, Heartland Housing Foundation and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Partnerships are a key element of Stronger Foundations: Alberta’s 10-year plan to improve and expand affordable housing.

Quick facts

  • The total development cost of this Fort Saskatchewan affordable housing is estimated at $17.3 million:
    • $6.2 million through the governments of Alberta and Canada’s bilateral agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
    • $6.5 million from the Government of Canada, through the National Housing Co-investment Fund.
    • $3 million from the Government of Canada through Natural Resources Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund.
    • $1.1 million from the City of Fort Saskatchewan and a $500,000 federal tax rebate.
  • Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year $72-plus billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.
  • The NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal, provincial and territorial governments, and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life and people with lived experience of housing need.
  • All NHS investments delivered by the federal, provincial and territorial governments will respect the key principles of the NHS that support partnerships, people and communities.
  • Stronger Foundations: Alberta’s 10-year plan to improve and expand affordable housing reflects advice from the 2020 Affordable Housing Review Panel to redefine the government’s role, tap into community expertise, expand partnerships and simplify the system.
  • Capital Plan 2021 allocates $238 million over three years to provide 1,800 new and regenerated affordable housing units while maintaining the 27,100-unit provincially owned portfolio and creating more than 1,700 jobs.
  • More than 1,500 new units have been completed since 2019, of which about half were for seniors.

Associated links

  • 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. 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 http://www.placetocallhome.ca.
  • 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/seniors-and-housing.aspx.

Editor's note: This news release was also issued by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on Jan. 19, 2022.