Canadian Funding Corp. (CFC): Red Deer Celebrates New Affordable Housing

According to Canadian Funding Corp. (CFC), in a CMHC report dated May 22, 2009, Potters Hands Development Limited and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) celebrated the official opening of a 40-unit apartment building in downtown Red Deer. The Buffalo provides permanent affordable housing and support services to persons living with addiction or mental illness.

Canadian Funding Corp adds that the Buffalo project was officially opened today by Earl Dreeshen, Member of Parliament for Red Deer, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); Mayor Morris Flewwelling, on behalf of the City of Red Deer; Stan Schalk on behalf of Potters Hands, and Patricia Turnbull on behalf of CMHA.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Alberta and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Dreeshen. “With the opening of this housing project, persons with special needs in Red Deer will access suitable, supportive housing that will help them start a new page in their lives.”

“I commend the staff and volunteers of the Buffalo Housing First Program for taking the initiative to provide housing and support services for some of our most vulnerable citizens in Red Deer,” said Cal Dallas, MLA for Red Deer-South. “The program aligns with Alberta’s “Housing First” approach and serves as a model for government, stakeholders and community organizations in ending homelessness in Alberta.”

The Buffalo is owned by Potters Hands Development Limited and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association. Funding for the project’s renovation includes $960,000 from CMHC’s Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP), $75,000 through CMHC’s Proposal Development Funding Program, and $854,000 from the Government of Alberta.

The Buffalo uses a “Housing First” philosophy which moves people directly into permanent housing from living on the streets or in shelters.  Staff members assist tenants with day-to-day tasks such as laundry, cooking and housekeeping. Support staff may also help tenants find suitable activities, volunteer or employment opportunities or medical services.

“The Buffalo has truly made a difference in the Red Deer community,” said Patricia Turnbull, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association. “Many men and women who were sleeping on the streets now have a place to call home.”

CMHC’s RRAP programs provide funding for home modifications to help the elderly and disabled remain independent in their homes. The programs aim to preserve housing for people at risk of homelessness. RRAP and related programs help to improve living conditions for seniors, persons living with disabilities, victims of family violence and Aboriginal peoples.

HUA’s Outreach Support Services program will provide $32 million in 2009/10 to address the underlying causes of homelessness. The funding supports community-based initiatives that offer client-centered services which include a variety of programming such as addictions counselling and life skills coaching.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.