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City of Red Deer

City Council looks to accelerate permit process for affordable housing

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City Council approves Housing Asset Development interim recommendations, demonstrating commitment to affordable and supportive housing options

City Council unanimously approved a recommendation for Administration to prioritize zoning and permitting processes for affordable housing and permanent supportive housing options at their regular meeting today, aiming to assist applicants seeking funding from either Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Rapid Housing Initiative or Government of Alberta’s Affordable Housing Partnership.

The recommendation stems from a request from Council in 2022 for the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee (HHIC) to actively work to expedite permanent supportive housing development and to explore funding options and recommendations for local government assistance. While this work continues, the HHIC identified the need for interim actions to support time-sensitive community applications for recently announced CMHC and Government of Alberta affordable housing streams. While The City provides timely support with relevant zoning and permitting processes already, permits and applications were completed on a first-come, first-served basis. Direction to prioritize processes specific to permanent supportive and affordable housing ahead of other applications may increase the likelihood of meeting timelines for the CMHC and Government of Alberta funding programs.

“CMHC receives applications from across the country and has identified permitting as a major barrier in many municipalities. This decision confirms The City’s commitment to affordable and supportive housing options for residents and is a positive step towards reaching our goal that safe, accessible, and affordable housing is available to all and everyone is appropriately housed,” said Ryan Veldkamp, Safe & Healthy Communities Supervisor. “Applicants who are seeking funding from either CMHC or Government of Alberta for affordable and supportive housing development are encouraged to reach out to The City for support as needed.”

In addition to prioritizing applications, City Administration supports HHIC’s recommendation in the following ways:

  • Providing dedicated staff for application support, and a multi-department team to review applications
  • Sharing relevant data for applications and facilitating a lived experience knowledge transfer
  • Providing letters of support outlining community need and describing available City supports

These are initial steps towards supporting and prioritizing affordable housing projects, and the HHIC anticipates making additional recommendations to Council in 2023.

Potential applicants are encouraged to email their intent to [email protected]. More information on Housing & Homelessness efforts can be found at: https://www.reddeer.ca/about-red-deer/social-well-being-and-community-initiatives/housing-and-homelessness/.

City of Red Deer

Pop-up Spray Park Thursday at Ecole Oriole Park School (5 Oldbury St)

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Join Red Deer Emergency Services, RCMP and Municipal Enforcement and keep cool every Thursday in July and August.

Beat the Heat pop-up spray parks are once again returning to a neighbourhood near you this summer!

Red Deerians are invited to join Red Deer Emergency Services as they use fire engines to create temporary spray parks every Thursday evening throughout July and August.

Pop-up spray parks will run from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the following locations for summer 2024:

  • July 11 – Ecole Oriole Park School (5 Oldbury St)
  • July 18 – Fairview School Park (5901 55 St)
  • July 25 –  Dawson Park (140 Davison Dr)
  • August 1 – St. Elizabeth Seton School Park (35 Addinell Ave)
  • August 8 – Kentwood Disc Golf Park (168 Kendrew Dr)
  • August 15 – Joseph Welsh School Park (4401 37 Ave)
  • August 22 – Father Henri Voisin School Park (60 Clearview Dr)

Municipal Policing Services and Red Deer RCMP will also be joining to offer police vehicle tours, and local partners from Red Deer Child Care Society, Red Deer Food Bank, Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre and community associations will be providing fun kid activities and treats.

Events are weather dependent and will not go ahead if weather warnings are in place. Please make sure to check The City’s social media pages each Thursday for updates.

For more information, visit reddeer.ca/popupsprayparks.

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City of Red Deer

“Meet Me At The Park” Free drop in programing for kids at Kentwood’s St. Lorenzo School this week

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Looking for fun this summer? Want to get outside and enjoy our beautiful neighbourhood parks and green spaces? Join us for Meet Me at the Park – a free drop-in program for all ages!

Meet Me at the Park aims to bring our community together by offering informal and unstructured recreational opportunities that support physical activity, creativity, and social connection.

Each park location has amenities to compliment the program and when possible, a gathering space such as an Activity Centre may be available to provide washroom access. Please note that parents are responsible for their children at all times and must be available in case of an emergency. Children under six years are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian.

Activities may include the following:

  • Soccer/basketball/tennis/pickleball/badminton/baseball
  • Circuit courses, obstacle course
  • Block party & yard games
  • Arts and crafts
  • Gardening and nature fun

The program runs Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.mand Friday’s from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2024 Schedule

Date Location Address
July 8-12 St Lorenzo School 150 Kingston Drive
July 15-19 Don Campbell 99 Irving Crescent
July 22-26 Clearview Meadows 93 Cornett Drive
July 29 – Aug 2 Mountview Sunnybrook 4316 32 Street
Aug 6-9 Normandeau 49 Noble Avenue
Aug 12-16 Morrisroe East 35 McLean Street
Aug 19-23 Oriole Park 5 Ogden Avenue
Aug 26-30 West Park 3811 57 Avenue

Activities offered will vary from site to site based on the amenities available and will include a variety of options for unstructured creative play. Activities may change based on community interests and should provide options for all ages and abilities.

The following may be offered:

  • Circuit courses, obstacle course
  • Soccer/basketball/tennis/pickleball/badminton/baseball
  • Arts and crafts
  • Gardening and nature focused
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