Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon announced funding for housing initiatives in Alberta. March 11, 2024. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Pattison Media

Alberta proposes building over 5,000 affordable housing units

Mar 12, 2024 | 9:20 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – If Budget 2024 passes, the Alberta government says its capital plan would invest $840 million over three years to provide more than 5,000 affordable housing units and support more than 6,000 jobs.

Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon says all Albertans deserve a safe place to call home, so they are continuing to build capacity within the affordable housing system.

“We have already made significant progress on our Stronger Foundations strategy to support 82,000 low-income households by 2031,” says Nixon. “These funding increases would help us keep housing affordable and attainable for everyone who calls Alberta home.”

More than $400 million would support innovative and sustainable housing projects through the Affordable Housing Partnership Program over three years. These housing projects are said to be in addition to the 28 projects approved through the program in 2023.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The program is said to be an important part of the overall implementation of the government’s Stronger Foundations housing strategy, which will see a dedicated $91 million over three years.

The province’s Indigenous Housing Capital Program would receive $75 million over three years to continue building homes for Indigenous Albertans, off-reserve, off-settlement, and on-settlement. Since 2020, the government says 20 projects have resulted in 378 new units being built all across the province.

Former Blood Tribe Chief Charles Weaselhead says these dollars will go a long way in supporting Indigenous people in southern Alberta.

“The Province of Alberta’s investment in expanding shelter capacity and support of Indigenous-led shelter operations is vital to Blood Tribe Department of Health being able to help our most vulnerable towards a path of healing the whole being,” says Weaselhead. “Dignity, respect and connection to Siksikaitsitapiipaitapiiyssin is essential to the healing journey and to helping our members call their spirit back.”

The funding also includes $121 million over three years in capital maintenance and renewal funding to preserve existing affordable housing and approximately $130 million over three years for seniors housing development and renewal.

With numerous projects already underway across the province, officials say the Budget 2024 capital plan includes $18 million to complete current affordable and specialized housing projects.

Since 2019, the government says 5,000 new affordable housing units have been completed or are in progress, and rent support has been expanded to an additional 2,313 households.

Stronger Foundations, Alberta’s 10-year affordable housing strategy, will support a total of 82,000 households by 2031, which represents an increase of 25,000 households, or 40 per cent.

Robin James, south region vice-president for the Alberta Seniors & Community Housing Association (ASCHA) applauded the government’s housing announcement.

“This significant investment is not just to support more buildings, but the future of countless Albertans who call our member communities’ home, now and in the future. ASCHA members look forward to the continued partnership with the Government of Alberta in ensuring we can meet the growing need for affordable housing,” says James.

More details on the 2024 provincial budget are on the Government of Alberta website.

READ MORE: ‘Responsible plan for a growing province’: Alberta reveals balanced budget, boosting health care and education funding

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.