OLDS - Although Mountain View Seniors' Housing (MVSH) does not currently have any affordable units unoccupied due to a lack of funding for renovations, the organization will make use of new dedicated provincial funding should the need arise going forward, said chief administrative officer Stacey Stilling.
“We will continue to keep our eye on these assets and follow up with needs as they are identified,” Stilling told the Albertan. “At MVSH we do not have any affordable housing units sitting vacant due to lack of monies for renovations.
“Between our capital-preventative maintenance process and past grant monies available we have been able to manage what we needed, but we know not all organizations were as fortunate. We will certainly look to access resources in the future as we need them.”
Jason Nixon, Sundre-area MLA and minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, recently announced $16 million in new funding targeted at renovating affordable housing units.
“We know the need for affordable housing continues to grow,” said Nixon. “Alberta’s government is committed to maintaining existing units while continuing to invest in new homes. By revitalizing outdated units, we are providing safe, stable homes for Albertans in need.
“This investment will help fund repair and maintenance projects such a replacing windows, repairing roofs and improving interiors environments to help bring units back up to date to ensure they continue to be used as affordable housing for years to come.”
Responding to the new funding announcement, Arlene Adamson, president of Alberta Seniors & Community Housing Association, called the move positive.
“This injection of funding is vital to maintaining our current assets that strive to provide suitable living accommodations to Albertans,” she said. “The association and it members appreciate this investment and future investments that protect our current supply and look to increase the housing supply to meet the growing demand.”
MVSH owns and operates seniors lodges in Sundre, Olds, Didsbury and Carstairs, as well as other housing units in the district.
CAO Stilling said, “As Minister (Jason) Nixon noted in his comments the government of Alberta has what is known as a capital maintenance and renewal program (CMR). The minister and his team are trying hard to make sure organizations have opportunities. We continue to be encouraged by this.”
