Alberta announces $68M for second round of Affordable Housing Partnership Program

More money is coming from the province to support affordable housing, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon announced in Sundre Monday.

The next round of the Affordable Housing Partnership Program (AHPP) has opened for applications from community partners to support innovative housing solutions.

The province says $68 million is available for public, non-profit, and private sector partners can submit their proposals until Oct. 16.

“The Affordable Housing Partnership Program fosters collaborative work and prioritizes the goal of making sure all Albertans have access to safe, stable, affordable housing,” Nixon said. “By working together with our municipal, non-profit and private sector partners, we will ensure we can deliver a variety of affordable housing options to meet local needs.”

Submitted proposals will be assessed based on the local community needs, ability to achieve outcomes for Albertans with low income and value for taxpayer money, the province explains.

Details on the application process and eligibility can be found online.

The AHPP’s first round of funding closed in January, which the government says saw the approval of $124.7 million in funding for 30 projects. The program is said to have supported more than 1,100 affordable housing units across Alberta.

A significant project was completed in Calgary during the AHPP’s first intake — $15.2 million was allotted for the City of Calgary’s Bridgeland Place Retrofit.

Edmonton also got a significant boost, with $14.9 million given to Civida’s Lendrum Redevelopment and $14.7 million awarded to Meridian Housing Foundation’s Spruce Grove Lodge Supportive Living in Spruce Grove.

Funding for the programs is made possible through the National Housing Strategy 10-year bilateral agreement between the governments of Canada and Alberta, according to the province.

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Meanwhile, Alberta NDP critic for housing Janis Irwin says the United Conservative Party (UCP) government is in a housing crisis that “even Jason Nixon can’t deny.”

“Working Alberta families are being forced to dedicate more and more of their income to keep a roof over their heads, sometimes at the sacrifice of other necessities like groceries or transportation,” she said in a statement.

“Shelter usage is exploding, and vulnerable Albertans have been pushed into homelessness in their thousands by the UCP.”

Irwin claims the UCP is choosing to invest less in newer buildings and regenerated units, saying it is building less than half the number built in 2022.

She adds Premier Danielle Smith’s “failure to address soaring housing costs” is driving homelessness and burdening the health and justice systems.