City of Red Deer
City to consider surplus land and buildings for affordable housing
City Council approves housing asset development recommendations
At their regular meeting Monday, City Council unanimously supported ten recommendations related to municipal government enabling actions that reflect the Community Housing and Homelessness Integrated Plan (CHHIP). Administration also presented an action plan for pursuing all ten enablers within the next three years, including some that will be actioned immediately. The enabling actions were researched and analyzed extensively to provide optimized solutions for The City in relation to their impact in leveraging funds from other orders of government, as well as the difficulty and timeframe for implementation.
The recommendations are in response to a City Council motion from January 2022 directing The City’s Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee (HHIC) to expedite permanent supportive housing asset development and to explore and identify related funding and government enabling actions. On February 6, 2023, Council directed administration to prioritize zoning and permitting processes for affordable housing and permanent supportive housing applications, specific to applications seeking Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing Initiative and Government of Alberta’s Affordable Housing Partnership funding.
Supported by case studies that demonstrate successful strategies used by other municipalities to incentivize and increase affordable and supportive housing stock, the approved recommendations provide the following direction:
• Surplus land: Administration will present a report to Council in late 2024 that contains a list of potentially suitable surplus lands or buildings that The City may consider using for affordable housing. A report containing a list of potentially suitable surplus lands or buildings that The City may consider using for affordable housing.
• Financial incentives: A tax supported financial incentives program will be presented in November 2023 for Council consideration during mid-cycle budget review. Additionally, Administration will explore The City’s application for the new “Housing Accelerator Fund” through the Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation.
• Property tax exemptions: To ensure equitable and transparent implementation for non-Alberta Social Housing Corporation properties that provide affordable housing, a grant program in lieu of property tax exemptions will be presented in November 2024 as part of the next budget debate.
• Land designations: A full business case regarding land designation outlining financial feasibility and risks to The City’s Land Bank will be presented to Council in late 2024.
• Fast track development: Administration will prioritize zoning and permitting processes for affordable housing and permanent supportive housing applications as an immediate, long-term measure, specific to applications seeking funding from other orders of government.
• Waive municipal fees: Administration will ensure municipal fees are eligible expenses in the tax-supported financial incentives program that will be presented to Council in November 2023 as part of mid-cycle budget review.
The resolutions also endorse the following administrative actions:
• Provision of continued support to potential applicants to federal, provincial and municipal affordable housing programs.
• Development of key messages supporting The City’s advocacy for increased affordable housing stock.
• Development of new Land Use Bylaw for Council consideration in 2023.
• Exploration of conversion of commercial buildings for timeliness and affordability reasons..
“In addition to reflecting the Community Housing and Homelessness Integrated Plan (CHHIP), the approved enabling actions are the result of community input, local context, and promising practices and we expect them to make an impact towards our community’s housing affordable housing and permanent supportive housing goals,” said Ryan Veldkamp, Social Wellness & Integration Supports Superintendent.
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
Rebate programs launch again in Red Deer
Red Deer residents who purchase and install a rain barrel, drought-tolerant plants, permeable mulch or a low-flow toilet may qualify for a rebate on their City utility bill.
Alberta is experiencing drought in many parts of the province due to a below average snowpack in winter 2022-23, these rebate programs help Red Deerians conserve water usage in their homes and on their property at a time when water conservation is top of mind for many. The province is currently in water shortage management stage 4 (out of 5) and multiple water management areas are impacted by water shortage.
Participants in the programs could see a reduction in water usage in their homes as well as time and money as yards and gardens require less watering and fertilizer.
Specific details vary per rebate, but each program is open to Red Deer residents who have a City of Red Deer utility account.
Plant and Mulch Rebates are open for qualifying residents who purchase and install qualifying plants and/or permeable mulch in 2024. There is one rebate available for 50% of the cost of plants up to $50 and one rebate available for 50% of the cost of mulch up to $50.
The Rain Barrel Rebate program is open for residents who purchase and install a new rain barrel in 2024. The rebate is for 50% of the cost of the rain barrel up to $50. To encourage residents to participate in the program, this rebate has been expanded for 2024. Participants who received one rain barrel rebate in past years are welcome to apply for one additional rebate. Maximum of two rebates per utility account for the lifetime of that utility account.
A Toilet Rebate is available for residents who replace a high-flow toilet with a low-flow model. Two $25 rebates are available per utility account. People who have participated in this program in previous years are not eligible to receive another rebate.
These rebate programs support the water-related goals in The City’s Environmental Master Plan by reducing Red Deerians water use and increasing water conservation efforts. More information on how you can conserve water can be found at reddeer.ca/drought.
2024 City Councilor By-Election
Chad Krahn wins City Council by-election: Official results Friday
Unofficial 2024 By-Election Results
With 100% voting stations reporting, Red Deerians have elected a new City Councillor during The City’s first ever by-election.
Unofficial results of the 2024 Municipal By-Election are as follows:
Candidate | Votes | |
1 | BUCHANAN, S.H. (Buck) | 479 |
2 | CHILIBECK, Jason | 287 |
3 | COLLINGS, Mark | 115 |
4 | CULLEN-SAIK, Linda | 296 |
5 | HUIZING, Hans | 381 |
6 | KRAHN, Chad | 2512 |
7 | MACDONALD, Ashley | 165 |
8 | MILANEY, Liam (The Level) | 29 |
9 | TWEEDLE, Jaelene | 2355 |
10 | YZERMAN, Calvin | 183 |
Official election results for the Municipal By-Election will be announced by noon on Friday, April 26, 2024.
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