Having safe and affordable housing available in St. Albert is a huge step for the community, says Doreen Slessor, executive director at St. Albert Stop Abuse in Family (SAIF).
Slessor and other members of local community organizations took part in an early tour of St. Albert’s Big Lake Pointe rental apartment development this week.
When completed in May, the building will offer 118 one-, two- and three-bedroom units in North Ridge, some of which are available at 10 per cent below market price.
“It’s huge. I don’t even know how to express how huge this is and how excited we are,” Slessor said. “We have been waiting for this for years.”
The first 39 market-price units at 10 Nevada Place are already completed, with tenants moving in. The two-bedroom and two-bathroom suites are available at current market rents at $1,350 per month.
The second building at 12 Nevada Place is expected to finish construction in May. It will offer 79 units for moderate-income households with prices set 10 per cent below market price.
There will also be 28 barrier free suites that provide for wheelchair accessibility.
Rental incentives are available for households whose maximum income is below $36,000 for one bedroom, $43,500 for two bedrooms and $56,000 for those needing a three-bedroom apartment.
Families qualify based on their demographics. A married couple with one child qualifies for a two-bedroom, while a co-habiting couple qualifies for a one-bedroom.
“If we compare that to a brand new building in St. Albert we will see there are rents that run probably 27, 25, 30 per cent below what the true market is in St. Albert for a brand new complex like this,” said Doris Vandersteen, executive director for the St. Albert Housing Society.
The housing society has also been working toward raising $1.5 million through its HOMEConnection Program.
The money is intended to offer 12 units to low-income, single-parent families, victims of domestic violence and seniors living below the poverty line.
Their leases can last from three to six or 12 months, depending on how long a person requires the assistance. If necessary, the HOMEConnection fund pays for all of the rent.
SAIF is not the only community organization excited to tell their clients about the bright and cozy units (588 square feet for a one-bedroom) and welcoming, yellow hallways under construction at 12 Nevada Place.
Maureen Ligtvoet, family support program manager for the St. Albert Family Resource Centre, said many of her families never lived in an apartment but depended on their family for accommodation.
“I think it’s exciting. It’s nice that there is something they can afford that is nice, that is family oriented,” she said.
“I know we have one or two families who have gotten in for sure and they are so excited.”
