A new affordable housing location is coming to Sherwood Park.
Strathcona County approved a partnership with Heartland Housing, a local non-profit, on Tuesday (Oct. 4) that will bring affordable homes to the community.
The new homes will be located on Fir Street on the old site of the Clover Bar Lodge.
Strathcona County mayor, Rod Frank, thinks the partnership will go a long way in helping people in need.
“We have a responsibility as a community that everybody has the opportunity to have a safe home,” said Frank. “We’re just being responsible coming forward and offering opportunities for citizens in our community.”
Frank is hopeful this will be a project that benefits everyone involved.
“This is going to be a community-based decision that respects the needs of the neighborhood but also offers affordable housing,” said Frank.
Heartland CEO, Nancy Simmonds, is excited to see what they can do with the property.
“Our aim is to work with community partners to ensure the future of Fir Street is one that is vibrant, safe, and inclusive,” said Simmonds. “We look forward to revitalizing the former lodge site and creating a new space that is inviting and modern.”
Housing affordability has become a bit of a problem in the county. Recent census data shows that about 35 per cent of tenants are spending 30 per cent of their income on housing, which exceeds the national average.
Heartland will now work on getting together designs for the project and speaking with stakeholders before presenting a final development proposal to council at a later date.