ENABLING HOUSING CHOICE NORTH PROJECT IN FAIRVIEW

For Immediate Release- January 20, 2025

ENABLING HOUSING CHOICE NORTH PROJECT IN FAIRVIEW

ALBERTA — On behalf of the Rural Development Network (RDN), the Sustainable Housing Initiative (SHI) has partnered with the Town of Fairview 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 the Town of Fairview 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 Fairview’s housing landscape. Findings from this research will assist in responding to the diverse housing demands that emerge from Fairview.

“Improving housing choice and diversity is essential to building resilient and thriving communities,” says Lisa Belanger, Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Development Network. “Through the Enabling Housing Choice North project, we are proud to partner with the Town of Fairview to identify effective approaches to meet the housing needs of current and future residents. This collaborative effort will help inform strategies for the community, and be incorporated into the Guidebook as a resource for communities across the country”.

We are thrilled to partner with the Rural Development Network on this project,” says Chair Paul Buck of the Fairview Economic Development Committee. “As our community grows, it is essential that we expand housing options to meet the diverse needs of our residents. This initiative not only supports increased housing choice, but also fosters economic development and long-term growth for Fairview. We are confident that the insights gained from this project will strengthen our community and contribute to a thriving future.

Project Goals:

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

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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