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http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonto ... /20/housing-ed.html1 O$ w& D) p8 ?* \0 _
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Edmonton plans thousands of affordable homes5 K) v' p2 n3 M
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 | 11:02 AM MT
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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.
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Cam 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. ~% I O. W3 k7 F; M7 H
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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. [) M' C0 {4 N, h8 V
* {% X2 g9 A+ s( V! ?# l! q' |In the past, most people stayed at the YMCA for a few days or weeks until they could get established. Now they remain for months.
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"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.
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% }+ V3 _& J, L6 j, JCity officials hope some of the new affordable housing units will be ready in as soon as 18 months.
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But 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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