Skip to content

Okotoks makes commitment to affordable housing

There’s no place like home, especially in a community that cares for one another.

There’s no place like home, especially in a community that cares for one another.

Town council took the first steps to ensure Okotoks can be home for more people when it agreed to a partnership to buy land to build a facility for affordable housing as well as for a 16-unit transitional housing unit for the Rowan House Society for women who have faced domestic abuse.

It is a partnership, not a handout.

Rowan House Society, and Westwinds Communities, which is building a 60-unit rental facility — 45 of them being affordable units — have to pay 50 per cent of the cost when the details are finally ironed out.

It’s a proposal that not only shows commitment to community, but also is prudent and strategic.

It was done with extensive consultation with the Okotoks Affordable Housing Task Force, which was formed in 2018.

And with money set aside for 2019-2021 for affordable housing, council has a strategy in place for the future. As well, council in 2018 approved the possibility of tiny homes going for the D’Arcy Ranch area, which was moved after consultation with the public.

It’s a strategy that is needed, especially with the doom-and-gloom financial forecast for Alberta.

Obviously, housing is a major and needed expense for everyone.

Providing affordable housing will mean some individuals — and families — may have some more money in their accounts.

This may prevent them from having to use services like the food bank as they try to save funds for end of the month rent.

It could mean more money spent in Okotoks businesses.

Okotoks rightfully should celebrate large development plans like in D’Arcy and Wind Walk, but the announcement on Monday for affordable housing is one to take pride in.




push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks