Jason Stockfish, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
The Town of Hinton has received $2.3 million from a federally-funded program to create affordable housing for at-risk members of the community.
The project will provide safe and secure housing for up to 16 women, Indigenous people or people living with disabilities who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
With the construction in Hinton of the Boutin Lands Modular Homes project, eight units will be made available under the initiative.
“It’s essential to the Town of Hinton to provide affordable and adequate housing for those who are in need, especially when it comes to our most vulnerable and marginalized groups in the community,” said Hinton Mayor Marcel Michaels in a news release.
The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is a $2.5-billion national program provided by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Committee (CMHC) as part of Canada’s National Housing Strategy, a 10-year, $72-billion plan to provide affordable housing across the country.
The Rapid Housing Initiative is designed to assist communities across Canada with funding the rapid development of permanent affordable housing for those most in need.
“Our government wants to ensure that everyone in Canada has a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Ahmed Hussen, federal minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, in the news release.
“The (RHI) will go a long way to supporting those who need it most by quickly providing over 500 new affordable housing units for individuals and families who are vulnerable in Alberta to keep them safe.”
The Town of Hinton applied for RHI funding in round one (2020) and round two (2021) of the application process with the CMHC.
“Council has expressed their commitment to continuing to provide and develop adequate housing in Hinton for its residents,” said Scott Kovatch, Hinton’s economic development officer, in an email interview.
“The Boutin Lands is a step in the right direction for this mission, but not the end.”
Construction is now in the early stages.
