ENABLING HOUSING CHOICE NORTH PROJECT IN LAC CARDINAL COUNTRY

For Immediate Release- Feb 11,2025

ALBERTA — On behalf of the Rural Development Network (RDN), the Sustainable Housing Initiative (SHI) has partnered with Lac Cardinal Country to collaboratively explore locally-informed solutions that will enable diverse housing development in their community. 

SHI is working to support diverse, sustainable, and equitable housing development in northern Alberta communities through its Enabling Housing Choice North Project. This project was made possible through funding and support from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF).

“Recognizing the need to support Municipalities in their effort to accommodate a greater diversity of housing types to meet resident needs, we are pleased to partner with the Rural Development Network and Lac Cardinal Country on this important project” says Patti Morris, Executive Director of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation. “The Enabling Housing Choice North Project aims to drive long-term policy change in Alberta’s rural communities to support long-term resiliency. We are honoured to support this critical effort.”

The purpose of this project partnership is to perform extensive research on the challenges and opportunities that currently exist within Lac Cardinal Country’s housing landscape. Findings from this research will assist in responding to the diverse housing demands that emerge from Lac Cardinal Country. 

The Enabling Housing Choice North Project is a pivotal initiative to address the unique housing needs of northern Alberta communities,” says Lisa Belanger, Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Development Network. “We are delighted to work alongside Lac Cardinal Country to identify opportunities for increasing housing diversity and sustainability. By combining research with community collaboration, this partnership will pave the way for locally-informed solutions to meet the region’s evolving housing demands”.

“Lac Cardinal Country is excited to partner with the Rural Development Network allowing us to address the diverse and evolving housing needs of our communities, through the Sustainable Housing Initiative on the Enabling Housing Choice North Project, expressed Dave Allen, Chair of Lac Cardinal Economic Development Board. “This collaboration will ensure that our residents, irrespective of their income or background, have access to safe, affordable, and suitable housing options. This partnership will provide a more targeted approach to tackling issues such as housing shortages, affordability gaps, and the demand for housing that meet the needs of different demographics. When people have access to good housing, it encourages community growth, attracts new residents or businesses, and improves overall quality of life.”

Project Goals: 

• To identify opportunities for enabling housing choice in Lac Cardinal Country through research and analysis
• To understand what housing typology best serves the needs of the community 
• To increase affordable and diverse housing availability in Lac Cardinal Country

About RDN: The Rural Development Network (RDN) is a non-profit organization that works with rural, remote and Indigenous communities and organizations in Canada. We collaborate to identify and bring focus to rural issues, build local capacity, and develop innovative, rural-based solutions to social and economic challenges.

About AREF: Created through the Real Estate Act, the Alberta Real Estate Foundation is a nonprofit grantmaking organization that supports and strengthens Alberta’s real estate industry and benefits Albertans. Through strategic investments, we fund projects across a diverse range of initiatives designed to bolster the work of the industry, government, and our land and built environments.

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