ENABLING HOUSING CHOICE NORTH PROJECT IN PEACE RIVER

For Immediate Release- January 24, 2025

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

“The Enabling Housing Choice North project is an impactful initiative to help improve housing diversity in northern Alberta communities, benefiting residents and fostering long-term resiliency,” says Lisa Belanger, Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Development Network. “We are excited to work with the Town of Peace River to support the community in developing more housing diversity through research and planning, and to incorporate these strategies into the Guidebook that serves as a resource for communities across the country.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Rural Development Network and Sustainable Housing Initiative on the Enabling Housing Choice North Project. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable insights into our community’s housing needs and explore innovative ways to meet them.” says Mayor Elaine Manzer of the Town of Peace River. 

Project Goals: 

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

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.

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