EDMONTON — Construction is set to begin on affordable housing in Edmonton which will give 230 people a home.
Alberta Housing Minister Lori Sigurdson says the 70-unit apartment building in the Parkdale community should be completed by 2017.
She says it's part of $14 million the government is putting up for affordable housing in Parkdale and for the Capital Region Housing Corp., which will manage the building.
Alberta has promised to spend nearly $1.2 billion on affordable housing projects over the next five years.
Sigurdson says the money will help stimulate the construction sector and provide jobs.
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson says the cash is welcome because "everyone deserves a place to call home."
"Affordable housing is one of the critical components to ending poverty in Edmonton and we will continue to work with the government of Alberta, housing providers and community support service providers to ensure these kinds of investments are made," he said in a statement Tuesday.
The new development will include subsidized units as well as housing at a mix of rents for tenants who can afford market rates.
There are currently 15,000 Alberta families on a wait list for units and housing assistance.
