Red Deer City Council approved investing nearly $3 million in federal Housing Accelerator Fund 2 (HAF2) funding to help create permanent supportive housing in Red Deer at today’s regular meeting.
“Council has spent many hours discussing how we can create more housing in Red Deer, particularly in the non-market housing sector,” said Mayor Cindy Jefferies. “Today’s decision puts nearly $3 million directly toward permanent supportive housing, where we know it is needed. This is about turning available funding into more doors and more homes for people in our community.”
Council approved $2,938,682 for a Permanent Supportive Housing Financial Incentive Grant. The City will issue a request for proposals (RFP), providing an opportunity for qualified housing providers to apply for funding to develop permanent supportive housing in the community.
Additionally, Council approved $150,000 to be put towards a Housing Strategy. The scope of the strategy will be developed based on the approved funding and will help guide longer-term decisions about Red Deer’s housing needs, priorities and investments.
The investment directly supports Council’s term direction of Housing That Works for Red Deer, which calls for action to increase housing options and respond to the community’s changing needs.
“We recognize the importance of planning for the longer term, but we also need to act on the information and opportunities available to us today,” said Mayor Jefferies. “This decision strikes that balance. It allows us to put funding to work as quickly as possible while also investing in a strategy to guide our future decisions.”
Permanent supportive housing combines long-term housing with ongoing supports that help people maintain stable housing. The approved financial incentive is intended to help move permanent supportive housing projects forward, with the number of units to be determined through the request for proposals process.
“This funding will not address all of Red Deer’s housing needs, but every additional home matters,” said Mayor Jefferies. “As a mid-sized Alberta city facing growing affordability pressures, funding for permanent supportive housing is greatly needed. Any investment we can put to work today can help open more doors for people who need them.”
The Government of Canada confirmed that The City could retain the HAF2 funding and redirect it toward other initiatives that support housing development in Red Deer.
“On behalf of City Council, I want to thank Minister Robertson and the Government of Canada for enabling Red Deer to retain this funding,” said Mayor Jefferies. “It is needed in our community, and Council’s decision ensures it will be directed toward creating permanent supportive housing here in Red Deer.”
Administration will now develop and issue the request for proposals for the Permanent Supportive Housing Financial Incentive Grant. Further information about the application process, eligibility requirements and timelines will be shared when available.