Cold Lake Affordable Housing Society has advocated for the diversification of community housing since 2003, specifically addressing the continued need for more affordable housing in Cold Lake.

Supply and demand has resulted in an average three bedroom home cost of $313, 777.00 (Northeastern Alberta Real Estate Board, July 2008). This coupled with a rental supply shortage partially caused by the condo conversion trend and increased cost of utilities, municipal taxes and transportation costs, more and more families are affected by housing affordability.

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In Spring 2006, CLAHS was approached by the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre (DMSCC) about the possibility of pursuing a joint housing project that would accommodate a variety of residents in need of affordable rental housing, including women exiting the shelter and looking to escape a cycle of domestic violence permanently. As a result, a few CLAHS board members traveled to Fort McMurray to visit a complex that contained both rental and transition housing units. Finding the concept viable and sustainable, the CLAHS board agreed to work in partnership with DMSCC on their first (current) project: a 32 unit apartment complex that contained 8 transition housing units on the top floor. CLAHS’s vision for this building is a community within a community, a rental complex that accommodates individuals and families with different needs, experiencing different stages of life including students, seniors, persons with disabilities, low to moderate income earning families and young professionals.

Having identified their first project, CLAHS approached City Council about the possibility of a land donation; as a result, the City of Cold Lake entered into a long-term lease agreement thereby granting CLAHS use of 4 newly developed lots zoned for the construction of a low-density apartment building. This past summer funding came available for affordable housing projects through the Alberta Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Working in partnership with the City of Cold Lake, CLAHS was able to submit a funding proposal to the Alberta government and secure just over 3.5 million dollars—approximately 70% of the anticipated capital cost of the project. Recently MLA, Denis Ducharme visited Cold Lake to view the lots and talk about the project with Mayor Craig Copeland and CLAHS board members.

CLAHS board members are now excited for construction to commence. CLAHS is incredibly grateful to the City of Cold Lake and Province of Alberta for their support. CLAHS appreciates the dedication of its volunteers and partners, and looks forward to ongoing support and enthusiasm from the community. For more information on the project, organization or how to get involved please contact Earla Burge, Chairperson of the CLAHS at 594-3277 or via email emburge@telusplanet.net

1. Cold Lake Affordable Housing Society
   Community Registration Day Presentation:
   Click here for more information.

2. City of Cold Lake Economic Development Advisory Committee
   Affordable Housing Report 2006:
   Click here for more information.

3. Cold Lake Affordable Housing Society
   Affordable Rental Housing Project
   Executive Summary:
   Click here for more information.

4. Cold Lake Houses and Apartments for Rent:
   Click here for more information.