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Prairie Metropolis Centre Symposium January 23, 2009

Line Porfon, Executive Director, Policy and Urban Affairs

Lora Pillipow, Director, Strategic Policy and Urban Affairs

Alberta Housing & Urban Affairs

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Housing and Urban Affairs: A History

Affordable Housing Task Force report: “Housing First – An Investment with a Return in Prosperity” (March 2007)

Provincial government responded with $285 million (April 2007)

Premier Stelmach announced the new department of Housing and Urban Affairs (March 2008)

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Minister’s Mandate

11,000 affordable housing units by 2012

10-Year Plan to End Homelessness

Help Albertans stay in their homes

Make additional land available for affordable housing projects

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Three Core Businesses

Provide a range of housing options and supports for lower-income Albertans

Address Homelessness and Transitional Housing

Identify and address unique issues affecting urban municipalities

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Core Business One Affordable Housing

11,000 affordable housing units by 2012 status: 3,400 units supported in 2007/2008

Block funding to municipalitiesRequest for ProposalSubsidized rental programs delivered by

management bodiesSubsidies for renters in private market

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Rent Supplement Program

Two streams:Private Landlord Rent Supplement ProgramDirect to Tenant Rent Supplement Program

Immediate way to address rent pressuresPrograms provide assistance to

approximately 8,500 Albertans

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Core Business Two Homelessness Initiatives

10-Year Plan to End Homelessness Alberta Secretariat for Action on

HomelessnessHousing First approach

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Core Business Two Homelessness Initiatives

2008/2009: $38 million to operate 3,659 shelter spaces in 33 facilities

$2.5 million winter contingency$6 million for the Provincial Homeless

Initiative$5 million for the Transitional Housing

Initiative

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Core Business ThreeUrban Affairs

A new core business for the Ministry Support urban centres to address

pressures related to growthLiaise with Government of Alberta

ministries to identify gaps in policies and programs

Urban Affairs’ Framework

Focus on cities with a population over 10,000; specific focus on Edmonton and Calgary

Support projects relating to housing and homelessness

Urban Social Issues and Community Capacity Building

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Success Story: Edmonton YMCA Project

$25 million in Provincial capital fundingTo create 150 new units for:

60 units for low- to moderate-income families 35 units for low- to moderate-income individuals 30 units for couples25 units for special needs clients

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Success Story: Calgary Pathways to Housing

• $1.5 million in Provincial operating funding• Housing First approach• Provides “Wrap-Around” Services• 48 chronically homeless people placed in

permanent housing

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Questions?Line PorfonExecutive DirectorPolicy and Urban AffairsAlberta Housing and Urban Affairs

Lora PillipowDirectorStrategic Policy and Urban AffairsAlberta Housing and Urban Affairs

Website: www.housing.alberta.ca