Low-income aboriginal families will benefit from the development of 179 new affordable housing units in 16 communities across Alberta.

Over $16 million in funding will be granted from the Province, which will also cover needed repairs to 85 existing affordable units located in northern Alberta.

These projects are from year two of a three-year, $48-million Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Program that the Alberta government is delivering on behalf of the federal government. Under the program, the Province allocates funding to priority affordable housing projects.

“These projects will provide needed safe, affordable housing for low-income aboriginal families and individuals living off-reserve, who require assistance in securing affordable housing,” said Ray Danyluk, minister of municipal affairs and housing. “Our government is proud to be a partner in increasing the supply and access to quality, affordable, sustainable housing of aboriginals throughout our province.”

The 16 communities benefiting from this funding include Calgary, Cardston, the East Prairie Metis Settlement, the Elizabeth Metis Settlement (Cold Lake and Bonnyville), Edmonton, Faust, the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, Grande Cache, Grande Prairie, Grouard, Lethbridge, Magrath, the Municipal District of Opportunity and the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement.

A total of $16 million was made available in the 2007-08 budget and an additional $16 million will be made available next year in the 2008-09 budget.

This year marked the first time the program was run as a request for proposal basis.

The Municipal Affairs and Housing office received 35 project applications in excess of a $100 million for this year alone, said communications manager Robert Storrier.

Under the program, the funding can be used for a wide spectrum, helping a lot of people in a lot of different ways, said Storrier, which includes funding for development of new housing units, repairs of existing units or homeownership assistance.

“It’s going to help and work within the framework of trying to achieve the more than 11,000 affordable housing units over the next five years. It was a very successful initial year with the program so we are certainly looking forward to the final year as well,” he added.

Calgary’s Siksika Family Services Corporation will receive the largest portion of the grant; $4,550,000 to build 35-units in various locations across Calgary, which will be a combination of affordable, transitional and supportive units aimed at low-income Aboriginal families, individuals and those with special needs.

The Blood Tribe Housing Authority will receive $1.1 million in funding for homeownership assistance for low-income Aboriginal families and individuals in Calgary, as well as Cardston, Lethbridge and Magrath.

The investment is part of the Alberta government’s five-year strategy to create more than 11,000 affordable housing units in the province. This funding addresses the immediate housing pressures as identified in the Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force report, and supports the Alberta government’s long-term capital plan.

—Dan Leahul is the resident reporter for the Calgary Real Estate News