City Government

City’s Cornerstones Program Makes Rent More Affordable for Working Families

July 12, 2012

32 working families will find their rent more affordable thanks to a $1.16 million investment by the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta through the Cornerstones Affordable Housing Program.

Mayor Stephen Mandel helped celebrate the Phase I launch of Southwoods Village, a 236-unit townhouse development owned and managed by Christenson Equities and located on 19 acres in the Hazeldean community in south Edmonton. The development is based on a phased plan to renovate and upgrade existing rental townhouses on the property. Tenants will include prospective workers who will be employed on-site, building planned infill apartments for seniors and providing the health care services they will require.

“The Cornerstones program has helped us increase the affordable housing choices available to our citizens,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “Southwoods Village is a great example of how we can renovate older buildings to make them attractive, efficient and affordable. The tenants here live and work in the area, and are truly part of a community. Council has worked with Cornerstones partners to create housing that our citizens can be proud of.”

Qualifying tenants can rent one of 32 affordable suites and receive a rent supplement funded by the Cornerstones program and administered by the Capital Region Housing Corporation. The 2- or 3-bedroom suites are designed to accommodate families, and future development will focus on seniors’ housing designed to allow aging-in-place within an inclusive community.

"The Alberta government is committed to increasing access to affordable housing," said Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths. "We are proud to partner with housing management bodies and developers to improve housing options and build stronger communities."

Southwoods Village has been designed as a sustainable community, featuring energy-efficient systems that include solar and geothermal heating and wastewater recycling.

“Our focus is on sustainable communities and providing affordable housing for working families and seniors,” said Greg Christenson, President of Christenson Equities. “The plan is to provide a connected community for families to live, work, and play while also creating a sustainable development."

The Cornerstones Plan was City Council’s successful 5-year plan to increase the number of long term affordable housing units and advocate for corresponding increases in income supports and support services for lower-income Edmontonians.

The Cornerstones program supported Council’s strategic vision to improve Edmonton’s livability and manage growth, bringing communities, businesses, and governments together to develop affordable housing. Cornerstones committed funding for over 3,038 affordable housing units, surpassing Council’s goal of creating 2,500 homes by 2011.