The Enabling Housing Choice (EHC) project is part of RDN’s Sustainable Housing Initiative (SHI). Through EHC, we provide guidance for rural municipalities to support the development of diverse, sustainable, and relevant housing in their communities.
Working directly with communities in Alberta, EHC drives transformational, long-term policy change to support diverse, sustainable, and equitable housing development. EHC starts by analyzing existing housing in rural municipalities, documents local stakeholders’ insights, gathers information about housing challenges, barriers, and opportunities, and reviews relevant policies and bylaws. We then work with the partner municipality to develop strategies and to facilitate housing diversity that meets the needs of the community.
Enabling Housing Choice is made possible through funding and support from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation.
Many rural municipalities lack the capacity and resources to understand their local housing. Our team assists these communities by addressing policy, bylaw, and process barriers to ultimately improve Alberta’s housing industry.
This approach was piloted in six municipalities across Alberta:
We acknowledge that this work is embedded in a colonial worldview of land management, and we work to address reconciliation and respect the Indigenous peoples who occupied this land for generations before land use frameworks were in place.
As a previous participant in the Enabling Housing Choice project with RDN, we are excited to be making progress on key recommendations outlined in RDN’s report – Attracting Diverse Housing Development in Mayerthorpe. This report has been critical to understanding our community’s diverse housing needs, and has equipped us with community-informed insights on how to address these needs.
Karen St. Martin – Town of Mayerthorpe
Enabling Housing Choice, Housing
Diversifying Housing in Rural Communities is meant to assist rural areas both in Alberta and across Canada in examining their local housing landscape and then using that information to update local policies, bylaws and processes, so that diverse housing development may be enabled in their community.
ViewNovember 1, 2022
Affordable Housing, Enabling Housing Choice
The second edition of our award-winning guide for those looking to develop, build, and operate affordable rental housing. Click the button below to learn more.
ViewApril 1, 2022
Affordable Housing, Enabling Housing Choice
Research for driving transformational, long-term policy change that encourages housing choice and diversity in communities. Click the buttons below to view more.
ViewOur team of housing experts are here to boost your capacity and make housing projects a reality.
This Affordable Housing Course brings together tools and resources from across Canada that apply to anyone interested in the affordable housing development process. Each module is filled with interactive learning tools and can be completed at your own pace. The affordable housing course will guide you through the following development phases: Length: Asynchronous and Self-Paced. […]
Learn MoreWe help communities, municipalities and organizations overcome barriers to make affordable housing a reality.
Learn MoreOur dedicated team is committed to supporting rural communities to help them thrive. Connect with us to explore how we can work with you.
Placemaking for Inclusion was a project within RDN’s Sustainable Housing Initiative which aimed to enhance social inclusion in affordable housing communities and combat negative stereotypes. Supported by funding from the Community Housing Transformation Centre’s Community-Based Tenant Initiative, the project explored how tenant-based initiatives can challenge negative stereotypes and foster social cohesion among affordable housing residents and their neighbourhoods.
This guide, stemming from a tenant-based initiative in Edmonton, Alberta, shares essential insights to empower tenants in leading initiatives that can reshape their communities and foster connections. It seeks to inspire others by showcasing the transformative potential of such initiatives in promoting social cohesion and breaking down barriers.
The Placemaking for Inclusion project helped bring a wave of positive change to the vibrant community of La Société des Manoir – St. Joachim. Through a tenant-based approach, senior tenants were empowered to craft a beautiful community mural, fostering a sense of belonging and pride within their shared space. This initiative not only beautified the environment but also facilitated meaningful connections among residents and local community members. Gatherings over delicious food and drinks further strengthened bonds, creating an inviting atmosphere of camaraderie and inclusion that resonated throughout the community.
As a testament to its success, the project also produced a guide for tenant-based initiatives, offering a roadmap to help other affordable housing providers and tenants follow suit. This resource encapsulates the learnings and best practices garnered from the project, equipping communities with the tools to create their own tenant-based initiatives. By sharing insights and strategies, the guide paves the way for diverse initiatives that prioritize meaningful community engagement with affordable housing tenants.
Inclusive Communities, Placemaking for Inclusion
Please click the button below to download a PDF of the guide.
ViewOur team of housing experts are here to boost your capacity & make projects a reality.
Our dedicated team is committed to supporting rural communities to help them thrive. Connect with us to explore how we can work with you.
This project aimed to improve Ukrainian newcomers’ ability to secure and retain long-term housing in rural Alberta. We developed a guidebook that provided resources on various aspects of tenancy and ownership, support for general settlement, and information on topics including healthcare, schooling, and education.
This project included the development of a secondary guide intended to increase landlord and housing providers’ understanding of the needs of Ukrainian newcomers. It was also designed to enhance their ability to foster positive relationships with diverse tenants to enable stable, long-term tenancies. In addition, it supported collaboration and communication between landlords and other providers of housing.
The Housing Education to Support Ukrainian Evacuees in Alberta project increased access to information on finding and providing suitable, safe, and culturally appropriate housing in rural and urban communities. The project engaged diverse groups and individuals focused on supporting Ukrainian evacuees and identified the significant needs and challenges they may experience.
April 1, 2024
Affordable Housing, Housing, Housing Education to Support Ukrainian Evacuees in Alberta, Rural Immigration
Click the buttons below to download/view the following resources in PDF format.
ViewWe help identify knowledge gaps and challenges in welcoming newcomers and create individualized training, policies and practices, and resources.
Our customizable training is tailored for service providers and municipalities. It focuses on teaching strategies to effectively meet newcomers needs and foster welcoming communities.
Learn MoreElevate your business’s sustainability and tackle labour shortages head-on with our customizable training.
Learn MoreWe help communities, municipalities and organizations overcome barriers to make affordable housing a reality.
Learn MoreOur dedicated team is committed to supporting rural communities to help them thrive. Connect with us to explore how we can work with you.