1 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
22 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)
33 Ministers Mandate 11,000 affordable housing units by Year Plan to End Homelessness Help Albertans stay in their homes Make additional land available for affordable housing projects
44 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
55 Core Business One Affordable Housing 11,000 affordable housing units by 2012 status: 3,400 units supported in 2007/2008 Block funding to municipalities Request for Proposal Subsidized rental programs delivered by management bodies Subsidies for renters in private market
66 Rent Supplement Program Two streams: Private Landlord Rent Supplement Program Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement Program Immediate way to address rent pressures Programs provide assistance to approximately 8,500 Albertans
77 Core Business Two Homelessness Initiatives 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness Housing First approach
88 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
99 Core Business Three Urban Affairs A new core business for the Ministry Support urban centres to address pressures related to growth Liaise 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
11 Success Story: Edmonton YMCA Project $25 million in Provincial capital funding To create 150 new units for: 60 units for low- to moderate-income families 35 units for low- to moderate-income individuals 30 units for couples 25 units for special needs clients
12 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
13 Questions? Line Porfon Executive Director Policy and Urban Affairs Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs Lora Pillipow Director Strategic Policy and Urban Affairs Alberta Housing and Urban Affairs Website: