April 18, 2023
The City of Edmonton is investing up to $20 million over four years to support Indigenous-owned affordable housing.
The Affordable Housing Investment Program is the City’s largest affordable housing program, providing grants for the construction of new housing and the repair of existing housing since 2018. For the first time, Indigenous housing developers are eligible for $5 million in dedicated funding each year until 2026. The new grants will provide up to 40 per cent of construction costs for Indigenous-owned, environmentally sustainable affordable housing.
“Indigenous people in Edmonton experience houselessness and housing insecurity at higher rates than their non-Indigenous neighbours, often due to intergenerational trauma. Investing in culturally-appropriate affordable housing for Indigenous individuals and families is an important part of advancing reconciliation,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.
The City’s 2022 Housing Needs Assessment found that 1 in 3 Indigenous renter households are in “core housing need,” meaning they pay more than they can afford or are forced to live in crowded or unsafe conditions. Of the approximately 2,800 people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton, nearly 60 per cent are Indigenous.
“For years, our tribal council leadership had a vision for housing that empowered our people, created positive self-esteem, and ensured they are part of the solution. The City of Edmonton’s Affordable Housing Investment Program was an important part of moving that project ahead,” said Cameron Alexis, Chief Executive Officer, Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. “A dedicated grant stream for Indigenous-owned projects creates additional flexibility, allowing organizations like ours to build housing that meets the needs of our Indigenous communities and more importantly, feels like home.”
"The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is pleased that the City of Edmonton recognizes the need for more Indigenous-led affordable housing,” said President Audrey Poitras. “Métis Capital Housing Corporation has designed programming to support Métis families and students in need of rental support, home repairs, and down payment assistance. With the transition to a self-governing Otipemisiwak Métis Government and support from innovative municipalities like the City of Edmonton, we will be able to do even more for our citizens.”
An additional $10 million annually is available to all housing providers for new affordable housing or the repair of existing affordable housing. Up to 25 per cent of capital costs are eligible under the original funding streams.To receive grant funding, housing providers must offer rents at 80 per cent of the market rate or lower or rent geared-to-income at no more than 30 per cent of household income for 20 to 40 years.
“Edmonton is known as an affordable city for homeowners, but that prosperity isn’t shared by all. We are working to re-establish affordable housing as core infrastructure by acting as an early investor and helping attract investment from other levels of government. This approach is working—we’ve helped create more affordable housing in Edmonton over the last four years than in the previous decade,” said Christel Kjenner, Director of Affordable Housing and Homelessness.
Between 2018 and 2022, the City invested $48.1 million for 1,106 new or rehabilitated units through the program. Every City dollar spent on affordable housing stimulated approximately $8 in additional investment from non-market housing developers and other levels of government.
