WORKING ON housing

Everyone deserves to have a home that is affordable, in decent repair, and has enough rooms for their household. Making sure appropriate housing is available is also a vital tool to decrease social disorder and create long-term taxpayer savings by addressing poverty and mental health.

 
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If re-elected, I intend to advocate for:

  • Strong support of the Youth Emergency Shelter’s new build. Giving young people help when they find themselves homeless is not only the right thing to do, it is also the best way to eliminate chronic homelessness in the future.

  • Exploring the development of seniors housing on the Montrose Cultural Centre site (south of the library). Partnerships with Grande Spirit Foundation and private industry may provide opportunity to build a tower that has a mix of affordable housing for seniors and market housing for anyone. This would fill an important need in our community (housing seniors) while also creating economic activity in the City Centre.

  • Working with Grande Spirit Foundation, the province, and other municipalities to create Continuing Care beds for seniors and others with the needs.

  • Working with the Centre for Young Parents, Sunrise House, and other community partners to find options for independent young people who do not have a credit history or family support to obtain rental housing.

  • The federal government to invest its fair share in our region. Federally, housing is a priority. However, a disproportionate amount of money get spent in the large cities. The City of Grande Prairie should work with regional municipalities and other mid-sized Cities to make sure that federal grants are spent in our communities too.

  • Creating incentives (ex: grants or waiving of City permitting fees) to build 3+ bedroom apartments. Apartments are often an affordable rental option for families, but they cannot find an apartment big enough, forcing them to rent a house they cannot afford.

  • Supporting regulatory changes and/or incentive programs to encourage row housing and narrow lot development. This type of housing allows home ownership opportunities at a lower price point than traditional single detached developments.

  • Making sure that the Coordinated Care Campus phases up slowly and emphasizes consultation with building residents and nearby properties. If done properly, this project will change lives, improve our community, and save taxpayer dollars while having no impact on its neighbourhood. Council needs to be razor focused on making sure it is done right. (More info on this project at here)

 

During my time on Council, I undertook the following work to work on housing:

  • Advocated for the creation of realistic, actionable, and financially resourced plans to encourage Affordable Housing and address Homelessness.

  • Supported allocating land and grants to Grande Spirit Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and the Canadian Mental Health Association to help them develop housing projects.

  • Strong supporter of the Coordinated Care Campus so that chronically homeless individuals who are pursuing wellness goals have a safe place to live and access care.