Appendix G

Appendix G: Findings With Respect to Housing

G. Findings with Respect to Housing

Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) Housing Policy states that “access to adequate and affordable housing is fundamental to individual and family well-being and essential to healthy communities and economic prosperity”.

In today’s Alberta, complex social, economic and environmental challenges impact, and are impacted by, housing needs:

Social - health, mental health, education, family life, strong communities and aging population

Economic - low and fixed income households and soaring prices in some locations

Environmental - sustaining the ability of the environment to support future generations.

AUMA further states “Each of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments has a role in ensuring the availability of accessible, adequate, affordable housing but each should act in consultation and cooperation with the others:

Federal - national standards, financial and income support

Provincial - ensure sustainable programs for delivery of affordable housing, cooperate with municipalities in identifying needs, maximize use of federal support, complement with their own financial and income support

Municipal - in the context of available local resources and when approved by Council, identify housing needs and potential solutions in housing plans, using land use planning authority to support affordable housing.”

Consultation and cooperation are essential in meeting the needs of people who require accessible, adequate, and affordable housing including:

Intergovernmental - between federal, provincial and municipal governments

Intragovernmental - between and within federal, provincial and municipal government departments

Government/Stakeholder Groups/Citizens - municipalities as lead contact with stakeholder groups and citizens.”

The findings reflect the secondary data collection together with the commonalities identified through the primary data collection process with respect to:

community consultation

characteristics

gaps and concerns

potential solutions.

Three broad factors have influenced housing prices in Camrose and have led to a housing supply and demand imbalance:

population growth

demographic change

changing income levels.

CMHC has determined that housing is affordable if it costs no more than 30% of a household’s gross monthly income for rent or mortgage payments.

While the LICO (low income cut off) is not recognized by all agencies as a measure of poverty, a more “absolute measure is the number of individuals spending 30% or more of their earnings on housing. In Camrose:

the 1996 Profile of Urban Poverty in Alberta indicated that 16% of Camrosians lived in poverty according to the LICO

1996 Statistics Canada data points to 24% of Camrose households where average rent/major payments >= 30% of household income

Observations:

the most common concern voiced by respondents was the lack of housing to met the various levels of income and demographic sectors in the community

a mix of apartments, city lots, small acreages, and hobby and working farms provide a broad range of choices for home and land purchase in the area

the vacancy rate appears to hover around 0 to 1%

average housing prices in the City of Camrose are higher than those of the surrounding rural communities

1991-1996 and pre-1961 stock make up more than 40% of the housing stock, 1997 and later accounts for 28% of the housing stock

the majority of the housing stock is in good repair, requiring only regular maintenance

due to the growing population housing stocks are low and prices are rising therefore appropriate affordable housing for low-income and marginalized families is difficult to locate

providers report that acute care beds may be used by seniors awaiting housing

Brigantia Women’s Shelter reports that some mental health patients are using shelter beds because alternatives are not available

The Open Door works with over 60 cases per year requiring housing

there are waiting lists for virtually every housing opportunity in the community

the lack of rental units has resulted in higher rents and added difficulties for those tenants with credit or behaviour issues

the shortfall for apartment dwellers has been identified as $122 to $220 for those on SFI (as per the 2001 Affordable Housing Supply and Demand Report)

while the dominant age groups for first time renters is under 25 and for first time buyers it is 25-34, over 50% of this age group earn less than $30,000 per year

hourly household earnings required to afford rent (as identified by the 2001 Affordable Housing Supply and Demand Report) are significantly higher than the earnings (1996 Statistics Canada data) of 26% of households and 44% of the area population

G.1 Community Consultation

Table G1: Community Consultation

Strengths	Concerns/Gaps/Barriers
mix of housing for disabled, developmentally disabled, frail elderly, seniors new housing starts	need for housing for marginalized/low income families/ individuals need for housing for the mentally ill need for student housing need for transition housing need for youth housing

G.2 Characteristics

This section provides an overview of dwelling and housing statistics, and the types of housing available for specific sectors of the community.

Observations:

a mix of apartments, city lots, small acreages, and hobby and working farms provide a broad range of choices to residents in the area

the vacancy rate appears to hover around 0 to 1%

87 new housing starts are planned for the community

in the year 2001 39% of single family housing had a market value of under $100,000, a further 30% was priced under $125,000

1991-1996 and pre-1961 stock make up more than 40% of the housing stock, 1997 and later accounts for 28% of the housing stock

the majority of the housing stock is in good repair and requires only regular maintenance

due to the growing population housing stocks are low and prices are rising therefore appropriate affordable housing for low-income and marginalized families is difficult to locate

while the dominant age groups for first time renters is under 25 and for first time buyers it is 25-34, over 50% of this age group earn less than $30,000 per year (per year 2000 taxfiler data)

providers report that acute care beds may be used by seniors awaiting housing

Brigantia Women’s Shelter reports that some mental health patients are using shelter beds because alternatives are not available

The Open Door works with over 60 cases per year requiring housing

there are waiting lists for virtually every housing opportunity in the community

Table G2: Number of Dwellings by Tenure

	City of Camrose			County of Camrose
	1991	1996	2001*	1991	1996	2000
Owned	3410	3720	3808	2110	2165
Rented	1830	1735	2571	325	270

* Source: City of Camrose

Table G3: Number of Dwellings by Type

	City of Camrose			County of Camrose
	1991	1996	2001**	1991	1996	2000
Single-detached	3685	3815	4237	2200	2395
Semi-detached	230	235	271	5	--
Apartments	1040	1050	1352	--	10
Row/detached duplex	230	235	263	--	--
Moveable dwelling*	45	120	228	230	135
All others	10	--	19	--	--

* Moveable dwelling - mobile home

** Source: City of Camrose

Table G4: Projected Growth in Dwelling Stock by Dwelling Type City of Camrose*

Type of Dwelling	2006	2011
Single-detached	growth by 3% to 4334	growth to 7% to 4685
Semi-detached	growth by 8% to 306	growth by 10% to 337
Apartments	growth by 32% to 1799	growth by 12% to 2017
Row/detached duplex	n/a	n/a
Moveable dwelling	n/a	n/a
All others	n/a	n/a

*Source: Camrose Growth Study 2001-2031

Table G5: Characteristics of Dwellings

	City of Camrose			County of Camrose
	1991	1996	2001	1991	1996	2000
pre 1946	525	500		650	575
1947-1960	765	810		475	495
1961-1970	1035	945		320	370
1971-1980	1890	1785		580	535
1981-1990	1025	985		430	410
1991-1996	--	435		--	155
Regular Maintenance	3310	3590		1060	1295
Minor Repairs	1565	1480		1000	950
Major Repairs	365	390		395	290

Table G6: Single Family Inventory by Indicated 2001 Market Value

Market Value	Count
Less than $25,000	108
$26,000 - $50,000	213
$51,000 - $75,000	588
$76,000 - $100,000	908
$101,000 - $125,000	1405
$126,000 - $150,000	747
$151,000 - $175,000	381
$176,000 - $200,000	168
$201,000 - $225,000	83
$226,000 - $250,000	27
$251,000 - $275,000	16
$276,000 - $300,000	8
$301,000 - $350,000	8
$351,000 - $750,000	6

Source: City of Camrose

Table G7: Rental Market Report 2000 - 2001

Type of Apartment	Vacancy Rates (%)		Average Apartment Rents ($)		Apartment Units (2001)
	2000	2001	2000	2001	Vacant	Total
Bachelor	0	--	331	--	1	8
1 Bedroom	1.9	2.2	397	419	7	319
2 Bedroom	1.7	1.0	459	503	6	612
3 Bedroom +	0	0	522	557	0	38
Total	1.7%	1.4%	$439	$477	14	977

Source: CMHC

Table G8: Poverty by Tenure and Employment

	Total (Camrose Pop.)	# of Poor	% of Poor (% of Camrose Total)
Employed 52 weeks	3080	210	7%
No employment	3710	660	18%
Renter singles	1060	535	50%
Renter families	835	260	31%
Owner families	3715	405	11%

Source: 2001 Affordable Housing Supply and Demand Report

Table G9: Example of Housing Calculations Based on Family Income

(Medicine Hat Model)

The following chart assumes that “affordable housing” is housing that a family earning 75% of the average family income in the City of Residence could afford.

Average family income as per 1996 Statistics Canada data	$41,450
75% of average family income in Camrose	$31,088
30% of income on housing	$10,485 divided by 12 months = $873.75 per month (interest, principal and taxes)
Assume taxes of $100 per month	$100
Available to spend on mortgage	$773.75
At 6% x 25 years = $107,000	$650 plus taxes = $750 (interest, principal and taxes)
Add down payment 5% to 10%	$5350 to $10,700
Total house price affordable	$112,000 to $117,700
Average house price in Camrose as per local realtors	$109,000*
% of households with income below the average family income - unable to afford a home at the average house price	44%
% of single family homes with market value of less than the average house price	39%
% of single family homes currently listed at or less than the average house price	5%

Source: City of Medicine Hat Model * There are few listings on the market in Camrose at the average list price.

Table G10: Example of Housing Calculations Based on Family Income

(2001 Affordable Supply And Demand Report Model)

*3 Bedroom home*	$69,900
*Taxes approximately $1260 p.a.*	$105 ($1260 p.a.)
*Mortgage @6.5% interest, r yr term, 25 yr amortization*	--
*5% Down payment*	$3,495 (15% of annual income) plus $2,490 CMHC insurance
*Monthly carrying costs*	$809
*Income required*	$2,022 per month or $24,270 per year (at TDSR)
*Camrosians able to afford this home (from taxfiler 2000 data)*	100% of husband/wife families 36% of lone parent families 32% of non-family persons

Source: 2001 Affordable Housing Supply and Demand Report

Table G11: Hourly Household Earnings Required to Afford Rent

Bachelor	1 Bedroom	2 Bedroom	3 Bedroom
$8.08/hr	$9.38/hr	$10.69/hr	$13.02/hr

Source: 2001 Affordable Housing Supply and Demand Report

Wages based on 160 hours/month

Table G12: Average Housing Payments Compared to 30% of Average Income 1991,1996, 2000

	City of Camrose			County of Camrose
	1991	1996	2000	1991	1996	2000
Average rent ($)	$489	$518		$261	$352
Average rent = 30% of household income (# of households)	285	800		10	25
Average home owner major payments ($)	$593	$579		$573	$525
Average home owner major payments = 30% of household income (# of households)	220	485		70	170

Source: Statistics Canada

Table G13: Average House Price 1991, 1996, 2000

	1991	1996	2002*
City of Camrose	80,293	96,128	$109,000
County of Camrose	77,480	95,219	$101,000

*Source: local realtors

Table G14: Neighbourlink Rental Survey 2001

100 family files selected randomly from both Food bank and Neighbourlink files (261 people)
Income going directly to rent	42%
Average monthly rent (not including utilities)	$427.84
Average monthly income (including child tax benefit)	$1,019.40
Four member family: Highest wage per month Rent per month	$1,800.00 $500.00
One person: Lowest wage per month Rent per month	$4,390.00 $320.00

Source: 2001 Neighbourlink Survey

Table G15: Key Housing Market Segments

Housing Segment	Dominant Age Group
First-Time Renters	under 25
First-Time Buyers	25-34
Move-Up Buyers	35-54
Adult Lifestyle	55-74
Seniors Housing	75 plus

Source: CMHC

Table G16: Critical Needs Groups in Alberta

Very Critical Need	Somewhat Critical Need
Single parent families	Seniors
Working poor	Homeless
Low-income families	Modest income families
Persons with special needs (especially mentally ill)	Homeless juveniles
Low-income singles and childless couples	Persons with developmental disabilities
Hard to house inner-city seniors	Persons with substance abuse histories
Women leaving abusive relationships
Aboriginal single mothers with 2 or more children

*Source: Alberta Urban Municipalities Association

Table G17: Housing Opportunities by Type of Client

Organization	Target Client	# of Units	# on Waiting List
*The Bethany Group*
Rosealta Lodge	seniors	65	195 singles, 39 couples
Stoney Creek Lodge	seniors	71
Bashaw Valley Lodge	seniors	38	7
Deer Meadows	seniors	96	4
Wildrose Villa	seniors	41	32
Heritage Manor	seniors	60
Parkview Place	seniors	65
Nordic Villa (New Norway)	seniors	8
Lakeside Village	seniors	69	38
Hillside Village	seniors
Community Social Housing	low-income	35 families	39 families
Bethany in conjunction with Canadian Mental Health	subsidized private sector units - low income	29	0 - program is frozen and will be phased out
Bethany Long-Term Care Centre (includes Hawthorne & Shepherd House)*	seniors	188	20
Rosehaven Care Ctr	seniors	100	4
*Other*
Brigantia Place	Women in need of shelter	22	0
Community Connections	youth	9 in homes	1-2
The Open Door	youth	2 bachelor apartments 25 individuals using services per month	On an immediate need basis, may be referred elsewhere
Canadian Mental Health	mentally handicapped	8	3
Camrose Association for Community Living	handicapped	38 using services	0
Habitat for Humanity	low-income	1-2 families every 2 yrs	12 families for 2004
Catholic Social Services	developmentally disabled	20
Property Management Services	wheelchair accessible	14	2
*BFN Housing*
Heritage House I (Bashaw)	seniors	44	6
Heritage House II (Bashaw)	seniors		3
Lakeside Home (Bashaw)	seniors & handicapped		4
Beaver House (Ferintosh)	seniors	5	0

* Over the next couple of years the Bethany Long Term Care Building will be replaced with a new building focused more on Supportive Housing than Continuing Care. The care will involve 24-hour supervision providing a more cost effective service and a more liveable atmosphere.

Table G18: Seniors Housing

Facility/Service	# of Units	Programs, Services, Amenities
Wildrose Villa Heritage Manor Parkview Place	166	service provided through the Bethany Group subsidized apartments, security, elevators, private self-contained suites, laundry facilities, lounge & hobby areas, on-site hairdressing rental 30% of gross income of all sources
Nordic Villa (New Norway)	8	service provided through the Bethany Group subsidized apartments, security, elevators, private self-contained suites, laundry facilities, lounge & hobby areas rental 30% of gross income of all sources
Deer Meadows	80	service provided through Bethany Group assisted living, 1 & 2 bd & studios, 8 neighborhoods of 10 suites each adjoin a common area on both floors, elevators, dining rooms, main kitchen, recreation areas, hairdresser, assembly rooms in common area on both floors, core service package includes room rental, one meal per day, utilities, helpline, surface parking, laundry facilities additional services are available for fee including: breakfast, supper, light housekeeping suites are fully self-contained and have kitchenettes a rental guest suite is available no subsidized units studio suite $920/mth 1 bedroom $1100-1130/mth 2 bedroom $1650/mth
Rosealta Lodge	65	service provided through the Bethany Group subsidized, basic room furnishings, housekeeping, full meals, security, 24 hour non-medical staffing, referral to community based services, laundry service for Lodge linen & towels, physical, social, spiritual and intellectual activities $780/person for studio style rooms
Lakeside Village and Hillside Village	69	service provided through the Bethany Group Life Lease Properties, condo style entry fees are refunded less building depreciation at termination of the agreement downtown location gives easy access to amenities, spacious 1-3 bedroom apartments on 3 floors, elevator service, common lounge, security, storage room in each apartment, balconies & decks monthly fees cover taxes and operating costs no subsidized units $58,000 to $120,000
Bethany Long Term Care Centre (Hawthorne and Shepherd Houses)	188	long term heavy care for seniors semi-private and private rooms are available some doctors from Smith Clinic have active privileges to see and treat residents, others have associate privileges and treat on call regular room $858.21/mth semi-private room $910.22/mth private room $991.71/mth
Rosehaven Care Centre	100	a provincial geriatric psychiatry program providing care for difficult to handle individuals from all over Alberta short term assessment and treatment plans to allow the individuals to return home residents stay 50 days or until they are stabilized stable residents return home with a staff member to train their caretakers there is also a locked dementia unit and psychiatrists from Alberta Hospital in Edmonton visit 2 days per week.
Heritage Hse I Heritage Hse II Lakeside Home (Bashaw)	44	3 subsidized apartment buildings through BFN Senior’s Housing Authority featuring self-contained suites with fridge and stove, common areas for social gatherings and free public laundry
Beaver House (Ferintosh)	4	a subsidized apartment building of self-contained suites including laundry facilities in each suite managed through BFN Senior’s Housing Authority
Crown Care	n/a	condos
Park Place I and II	n/a	condos
Property Mgmt Services	53	6 adult-only buildings 2 bedroom duplex - $600 Condos for rent: - 2 bedroom condo $525/mth plus utilities - 3 bedroom condo - $590/mth plus utilities Basement suite for rent - 1 bedroom $350-$400 plus utilities Single family homes for rent: - 2-3 bedroom apartment - $450-$650 plus utilities - 3 bedroom house - $1500 plus utilities - 3 bedroom acreage home $600 plus utilities 2 bedroom 4plex - $475 plus utilities 1 bedroom apartment $325 - $425 and 2 bedroom apartment $495 damage deposit is 1 months rent
Broadstreet Properties	34	1 “50 plus” building with elevator and wheelchair access 1 bedroom apartment $575 2 bedroom apartment $675 Senior apts: - 1 and 2 bedroom $600 damage deposit is 1 month’s rent or to seniors $400

Facility/Service	# of Units	Programs, Services, Amenities
Fourth Street Agencies		apartments only 1 bedroom - $350 - $450 2 bedroom - $475 - $575

Table G19: Physically Disabled Housing

Facility/Service	# of Units	Programs, Services, Amenities
Bethany Long Term Care Centre	20	long term heavy care for young disabled adults amenities and services similar to those provided for seniors.
Camrose Association for Community Living	17	roommates with support and independent living suites, some in subsidized housing support and supervision with daily life activities for adults with developmental disabilities private homes are also contracted-may be room and board or a basement suite
Catholic Social Services	20	houses rented privately by Catholic Social Services to be group homes with support staff funded through PDD support and supervision with daily life activities for adults with developmental disabilities available 24 hours
Heritage Hse I Lakeside Home	2	2 handicapped housing units within the BFN Senior’s Housing Authority one located in Heritage House I and one in Lakeside Home
Property Mgmt Services	14	1 wheelchair accessible building
Rose City Residential Support Society	potential of 31	the Rose City Residential Support Society, made up entirely of volunteers, has been fundraising to construct a housing unit for persons with a disability who are not youth or seniors the Society owns a piece of land and is now ready to put it into the building planning stages it is licensed for 31 self-contained suites with a common area and plan to construct in three stages sometime in the next few years

Table G20: Mentally Handicapped Housing

Facility/Service	# of Units	Programs, Services, Amenities
Camrose Association for Community Living	17	roommates with support and independent living suites, some in subsidized housing support and supervision with daily life activities for adults with developmental disabilities private homes are also contracted-may be room and board or a basement suite

Facility/Service	# of Units	Programs, Services, Amenities
Canadian Mental Health Association	8	subsidized shared living for people with severe and persistent mental illness tenants are independent with peer and staff support provides assistance with medication, crisis, money, family, etc. services are available to all client groups
Bethany Long Term Care Centre	20	long term heavy care for young disabled adults amenities and services similar to those provided for seniors
Catholic Social Services	20	houses rented privately by Catholic Social Services to be group homes with support staff funded through PDD support and supervision with daily life activities for adults with developmental disabilities available 24 hours

Table G21: Emergency Housing and Shelters

Facility/Service	# of Units	Programs, Services, Amenities
Brigantia Place	22	provides safe temporary accommodation for women including children who are affected by family violence or in crisis telephone and in-person support to non-residents in crisis follow up assistance is available for residents who are leaving in-house school is available with a full time teacher for children counselling and support groups, preventive education and outreach program are provided
The Open Door	2 bachelor suites	responds to emergency needs of youth (ages 11-24) with shelter, food, clothing, transportation for appointments with outreach worker, and general counseling refers individuals age 18 and over to Neighbourlink Courtesy Cab will do trip tics as a service
Neighbourlink	network of options	receive referrals from The Open Door, Community Connection, the Neighbourhood Youth Center, etc to place youth aged 18 and over in crisis in the Windsor Hotel refers youth under 18 to the Open Door also provides transportation and other assistance to families in need, as well as financial aid for housing costs all volunteer based
Community Connections	9 with 4 emergency spots waiting list is 1 - 2	3 homes for youth with rotating 24 hour staff youth usually stay for 3 months going through an intense assessment and treatment although some older wards stay until they reach 18 youth placed often on an emergency basis an outreach program for handicapped youth and families with problems is also available

Table G22: Low Income Housing

Facility/Service	# of Units	Programs, Services, Amenities
Bethany in conjunction with Canadian Mental Health	29	subsidized private sector units 1-2 families per year
Community Social Housing	35	operated by the Bethany Group affordable accommodation low and moderate income families applicants are assessed for eligibility based on need
Habitat for Humanity	n/a	builds housing for 1-2 families per year (four completed to date)

G.3 Gaps and Concerns

Table G23 sets out the findings identified through consultation with the community, observations with respect to the community, and a review of the existing programs and services.

Table G23: Gaps, Concerns and Contributing Factors

Gap/Concern/ Unmet Need	Contributing Factor
*Continuum of housing options to address constituencies in the community*	the rapid growth of the community the waiting lists for virtually every housing opportunity in the community the increase in special needs populations such as seniors, the handicapped, the marginalized
*Youth homelessness*	youth who may be “homeless” for a variety of reasons including, addictions, abuse, family conflict, etc.

G.4 Potential Solutions

With the major changes in large Federal Housing programs since 2000, housing assistance programs will be funded at higher levels. Smaller urban communities such as Camrose have an opportunity to participate in programs that were previously available only to major cities. The Federal/Provincial housing agreement signed in June between Alberta and the Federal Government was designed to create more affordable housing for municipal communities. However the program will not solve all of the affordable housing issues. Communities must look for additional resources and creative solutions.

The project “ACT” has explored the following areas:

streamlined approval processes

new forms of housing

new approaches to infill, intensification and conversion

alternative land/site development standards

cost effective renovation standards.

Following are some models that have earned national recognition for innovative ways to address housing issues.

The Town of Cochrane has developed a strategy to improve the supply of affordable housing in the community. Recognizing that the collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders is required the community has encouraged new affordable housing development through:

establishing housing policies in the Town of Cochrane Municipal Development Plan

developing new land use policies and districts in the Town of Cochrane land Use Bylaw to facilitate a wide range of housing options

supporting the establishment of both the Cochrane Affordable Housing Initiative Committee and the Cochrane Affordable Homes Task Force

supporting studies on local housing needs conducted by the above-mentioned organizations.

Successful implementation of the Cochrane Affordable Housing Strategy required a central committee or organization dedicated to overseeing the implementation of the Strategy’s recommendations. This committee worked in collaboration with other stakeholders such as the Town of Cochrane Planning and Engineering Services Department to facilitate the development of appropriate affordable housing. The following chart outlines the steps in the process.

Table G24: Affordable Housing Process

Objectives	Action Items
Implementation	establish the Cochrane Affordable Homes Society hire a Full-Time Housing co-ordinator (through a grant from the Status of Women Canada)
Increase supply of land for affordable housing	establish a community land trust explore use of under utilized lands
Investigate incentives for affordable housing	develop an incentive formula for affordable housing streamline regulations and planning procedures for affordable housing develop annual affordable housing targets explore “performance standard zoning” for Cochrane
Build more affordable housing	educate the development industry about affordable housing best practices continue to hold housing industry workshops initiate affordable housing partnerships involve the public in the planning process for affordable housing ensure that affordable housing developments comply with appropriate controls
Seek additional funding for affordable housing	actively seek funding for affordable housing request municipal funding support
Increase capacity building toward home ownership (empowering families)	develop a home ownership education program explore avenues to facilitate home ownership for low and medium income households
Identify affordable housing demand in the community	monitor changing housing needs in Cochrane on an annual basis develop a housing registry

The Town of Cochrane has developed a Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) based on a set of guiding principles established by the Town and the developers. The objective the CDP is to determine a fair and equitable formula for development costs. A CDP Task Force comprised of members of the development industry and representatives of the Town of Cochrane administration and Council is chaired by the Cochrane Partnership for Economic Development. The CDP is reviewed on a regular basis (approximately once every two years) and the most recent review resulted in a decrease in the recreational levis paid by the development industry. This decrease will encourage higher density in developments in order to accommodate more affordable housing for the community. The CDP initiative has encouraged developers and leadership to work together to create community-based solutions.

Rocky Mountain House capitalized on the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative to use vacant federal land or buildings to provide housing or other facilities for people at risk of homelessness. Using the local post office as the proposed facility, the community drew together the partnerships and linkages required to initiate the project. The Town came to the table to take responsibility for the building and sub-lease to the coalition who managed the operation.

To identify needs a number of steps and partners were required:

SFI statistics were critical to identify those who were paying more than the allocation for rent

questions specific to housing were added to the local census

a survey appeared in the paper and a prize was offered for those who dropped off the survey.

Federal and provincial partners including CMHC assisted with developing the budget and accessing the dollars. The project budget is about $450,000, with $325,000 of that accessible in resource dollars from a variety of sources.