Notes from the Dome: Affordable housing, new agriculture lending programs and a Freedom Conservative
Emma Graney
The Alberta legislature. Shaughn Butts / Postmedia, file
The provincial government, Capital Region Housing Corporation and the City of Edmonton broke ground on a new affordable housing site in Londonderry Wednesday.
The province is contributing $49.5 million to the project, which will replace an aging 80-unit complex in northeast Edmonton. The 240-unit redevelopment will feature one- to five-bedroom homes and facilities for community organizations.
It is also going to use a mixed-income model that bases rent on household income. The flexible model allows rent to be adjusted over time as incomes change, so tenants can seek higher-paying jobs without fear of losing their home.
Seniors and Housing Minister Lori Sigurdson said the Londonderry project will be a model for building sustainable, accessible housing in Edmonton for many years to come.
The total cost of the development is $70 million, with Capital Region Housing kicking in the remaining $20.5 million. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2021.
New agriculture lending programs unveiled
The Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) has expanded its lending programs for Alberta's agricultural industry.
Producers can now access up to $15 million under the changes — up from $5 million — to invest in their farms and operations.
Entrepreneurs in the agri-food and agribusiness sectors will also have access to new lending programs.
Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier said the changes are an important step in diversifying Alberta's economy.
Joe Anglin seeks Freedom Conservative nomination
An Alberta politician of many parties is adding yet another political stripe to his collection.
Joe Anglin announced on Facebook Wednesday he's planning to run under the Freedom Conservative banner in the 2019 election in Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre.
Anglin was leader of the Alberta Greens from 2008 until 2009 and elected as a Wildrose MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre in 2012. Anglin left that caucus to sit as an independent in 2014, and was defeated in the 2015 election.
Most recently he lost a court battle against Alberta's chief electoral officer.
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