Affordable housing coming to west Edmonton for members of Paul First Nation
New affordable housing in Edmonton will give members of the Paul First Nation the chance to own their own homes.
The project involves the construction of 24 new affordable rental and rent-to-own units in west Edmonton for Paul First Nation members.
The units will be built on a plot of land at 165 Street and 100 Avenue.
“It’s very exciting,” said Paul First Nation council member Myrna Rabbit.
“This is ours, and it’s a reality, and it’s going to be homes for 24 of our families from our community.”
Artist renderings of the affordable housing units being built in west Edmonton. (Source: ARA Concepts)
Rabbit says the Paul First Nation has about 2,400 registered members. About 400 live on reserve, but more than 500 live in Edmonton.
“Many have moved off reserve due to post-secondary education, employment, and some just because we don’t have enough homes in our community,” she said.
“Some of our people want to return home, but we don’t have enough homes.”
The project is being funded by a $3 million partnership between the federal and provincial governments.
The City of Edmonton provided a $1.5 million grant, and the Paul Band Property Management Corporation will contribute a minimum of $685,000 to cover its contribution toward the total capital costs.
Paul First Nations is also working with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to secure up to $4.5 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, and $250,000 in seed funding.
The funding provided by the province is coming from the Indigenous Housing Capital Program, which supports Indigenous governments and communities to build affordable off-reserve, off-settlement, and on-settlement housing.
“The availability of affordable, accessible off-reserve housing is important. These 24 units supported by IHCP for Paul First Nation provide equitable access and necessary supports in urban areas,” said Rick Wilson, minister of Indigenous relations in a written release.
This is the first time the IHCP has provided home ownership opportunities.
“This is one of the greatest opportunities, to be able to have a home off-reserve, and owning it,” Rabbit said.
“I’m very proud that Paul First Nation has led the way.”
An application process is currently underway to claim the units, and the new residents will be notified by the end of October.
Rabbit says construction of the units is expected to be complete by June or July of 2024.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nahreman Issa.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.