The Government of Alberta, the City of Fort Saskatchewan and the Heartland Housing Foundation celebrated the grand opening of the Muriel Ross Abdurahman housing facility.
Low-income seniors, individuals and families in Fort Saskatchewan now have access to more affordable housing in their community. Through the National Housing Strategy, the governments of Alberta and Canada jointly provided $6 million to support the Muriel Ross Abdurahman Court housing facility. The building will offer 83 new one- and two-bedroom units and provide residents with a safe and affordable place to live.
“This new facility will provide affordable housing to many Fort Saskatchewan residents who need it and allow residents to stay in the community. The completion of this project is another meaningful step toward ensuring affordable housing options are available for all Albertans across the province,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.
Tenants began moving into the facility, owned and operated by Heartland Housing Foundation, this summer. Muriel Ross Abdurahman Court was built using an innovative design that incorporates traditional wood construction and modular elements including shipping containers. It is an accessible and net-zero facility. The building is named in honour of former MLA and Fort Saskatchewan mayor Muriel Ross Abdurahman.
“The Muriel Ross Abdurahman Court affordable housing project will be a welcome addition to the Fort Saskatchewan community. I am proud to have secured provincial funding for this project and know that our government will continue to ensure housing affordability for all Albertans,” said Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.
The total cost of the project was $17.3 million, with the City of Fort Saskatchewan, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Rural Development Network helping to fund construction.
“In partnership with our funders from all levels of government, Heartland Housing Foundation is extremely proud to see Muriel Ross Abdurahman Court provide 83 units of much-needed near-market housing to the city of Fort Saskatchewan. This building will both help meet the growing need for local attainable housing options and exemplify how sustainable building practices can add value for our tenants and their community,” said Nancy Simmonds, CEO, Heartland Housing Foundation.
Featured image: (L to R) Tanneen Rudyk, Federation of Canadian Municipalities; Jason Nixon, Alberta’s Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services; Gale Katchur, Mayor, City of Fort Saskatchewan; Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville; and Nancy Simmonds, CEO, Heartland Housing Foundation. (Government of Alberta)
