True North successful in receiving provincial grant funding for affordable housing project

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The True North Society has received $3.5 million from the Province of Alberta for the construction of affordable, transitional housing in Strathmore. 

The grant is part of a more than $203 million investment from the province towards the construction of affordable housing units Alberta-wide. 

“We are really excited to receive this money from the ministry of assisted living and social services to go towards our project … we are getting really close to announcing the project with the Canadian Mortgage Housing Association (CMHA), and we are really looking forward to breaking ground,” said Amanda Vanderlaan, manager of research and development with True North. “It is an exciting and innovative approach to preventing and reducing the impact of domestic violence in our community and it is meant to act as a crucial bridge for survivors between emergency shelter and independent living.”

The project will ultimately consist of 36 affordable housing units – being one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments – for survivors of domestic violence to reside in for up to two years. 

They are designed to offer services for survivors in order to advance them towards long-term stability.

“The project itself helps individuals rebuild after violence in lots of different ways. The ability to offer that long-term full continuum of care increases violence prevention, offers greater intervention and safety [and] creates long-term stability,” said Vanderlaan. “Onsite programming that we will have, (will consist of) parenting support, skill building programs, help to build confidence – it helps to protect children, it helps to break the cycle of abuse, helps to prevent or mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences.”

Occupancy at the current emergency shelter has been high over the last several years, often being at capacity. 

Access to safe, affordable housing has presented a consistent barrier for survivors to transition out of the shelter and back into stable, independent living. 

According to the province, projects throughout Alberta to receive funding support were chosen based on community needs, value for taxpayer dollars, and support for low-income Albertans. 

True North’s transitional housing project is one of 25 throughout Alberta. The $203 million aims to create more than 2,300 affordable housing units. 

This investment in the Affordable Housing Partnership Program (AHPP) is the largest from the province to date. Since 2022, Alberta has invested more than $386 million through the AHPP to support the construction of more than 4,000 affordable housing units.

“At this moment, we are working with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as well as lots of other stakeholders and funding streams, and I really hope to have an exciting update soon that we can share,” said Vanderlaan, speaking to project timelines. “Once we get shovels in the ground, whenever that may be, it is about an 18-month build.”