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http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonto ... /20/housing-ed.html6 j: {; P' S9 i' D" z( w) |
9 l5 v2 H: m. K MEdmonton plans thousands of affordable homes0 V! X( U. \; }( t2 `7 X
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 | 11:02 AM MT . j/ O" ~: R; [ n. X
CBC News 9 `2 A. y: D/ P$ ^. o7 Z
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An ambitious city plan to build almost 4,000 new units of affordable housing in Edmonton over the next three years is welcome news for an advocate for the poor.9 J# x$ M2 ?' b( _$ G4 K& f
% @6 ~3 v2 Z' E1 v/ dCam McDonald, a spokesman with the YMCA, said demand is brisk these days for the organization's simple accommodations, which have become home to hundreds of people.: J' c# Q: |8 n2 F5 k0 T/ U/ q
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The $170 million project, approved Tuesday by city council, could lighten that load by providing everything from new apartment units to basement suites and mobile homes, he said.
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"I'm hoping that we can really start adding to the affordable housing, transition housing and supportive housing infrastructure in our community," he said.
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H! M9 V& ]8 zIn the past, most people stayed at the YMCA for a few days or weeks until they could get established. Now they remain for months.( n) C0 G5 p# A
/ h" c% j' u l Z K. k* J. S"I did find a job within the first couple of days, but it's very difficult to find a place to live," said Darlene LePage, who moved from Montreal with her daughter to make a better life in boom-time Alberta.. Q4 d$ I8 n/ z9 k' y; ]2 L
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City officials hope some of the new affordable housing units will be ready in as soon as 18 months.
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0 z2 D! d# c6 eBut McDonald said the work will have to continue for five or even 10 years if Edmonton is going to meet the needs of those who can't find affordable housing.
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"It's going to take time — this is not an overnight solution by any means — but I think we are making good progress." |
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