City Council commits nearly $5 million to three affordable housing projects in Lethbridge

On February 7, 2023, the Urban Revitalization Manager, Andrew Malcolm, presented three potential candidates to council.

“Having engaged with over 13 organizations in the community and getting down to the top three that really [were] a good fit for this opportunity,” explained Malcom, “It’s really exciting that council saw the opportunity as well, and approved conditional funding based upon actually going and getting that federal approval.”

Through this process, Blackfoot Family Lodge, Blood Tribe Housing, and MyCityCare Lethbridge have been approved to receive conditional funding from the city.

If the following affordable housing designs don’t receive the RHI funding, the municipal funds would still be available for future housing opportunities.

The city has committed $1,970,240 toward the Blackfoot Family Lodge’s total project cost of $4,925,600. It has also committed $1.5 million of the Blood Tribe Housing’s total project cost of $14 million, and $1.5 million of MyCityCare Lethbridge’s total project cost of $19,968,571.

Conditional funding for the $4,970,240 would be split, with $3.5 million coming from item D-32 Affordable Housing 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, $919,048 from the Affordable Housing Capital Grant Program, and $551,192 from funding held in reserve as matching funds for future projects from the 2022-2031 CIP.

After receiving approval from council, these organizations now need to submit their applications to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for consideration by March 15, 2023.

Malcom said, “Our team will continue to support applicants right up until that March 15 application deadline, in making sure their applications are as strong as possible. Upon hopefully a successful announcement of funding from the federal government, our team will help get that funding agreement in place so that we can support these groups and proceed into construction.”

In the RHI applications, projects must meet several criteria to become eligible and will be prioritized based on funding. According to Malcom, organizations that secure funds from the municipal government have an improved chance of success, and having council’s support will strengthen these applications immensely.

The application from MyCityCare outlines its intention to build a green, net zero complex with 76 units aimed at housing families, women and children inclusive of diverse populations.

Kelly Stickel, CEO of MyCityCare told Lethbridge News Now that if they don’t receive RHI funding, they will still find a way to move the build forward within the next 18 months.

“We’ll be looking at multiple sources of funding in order to move forward with the project, and so if we get turned down by RHI, then we will look again for other grants, other sources of income to be able to make the project go ahead,” said Stickel. “We see the need in the city, and see that it’s a necessity and we’re determined to be able to do our part in meeting that need.”

All three organizations say they are attempting to create financially-sustainable housing complexes, as budgets include future operating costs that will not require them to go back to council for additional funds.

All proposed projects applying under the RHI must be built by January 1, 2025.

To get a closer look at each of the detailed affordable housing project summaries, visit the City of Lethbridge Agenda website.

Read more at Lethbridge News Now.

by Sarah Jones

City Council commits nearly $5 million to three affordable housing projects in Lethbridge

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