THE RURBAN FRINGE

The Advantages of Affordable Rurban Housing

Posted on | March 30, 2009 | No Comments

houseI had the pleasure of being in attendance at The Government of Alberta’s announcement made in Strathmore regarding the immediate development of 82 affordable housing units. 

Provincially, Strathmore has long been identified as a community “in need” of affordable housing development and so I found this welcome news, after contributing to a local Affordable Housing Task Force and especially as the community deals with job loss and economic slow-down caused by the recession.

Although this announcement comes amid a storm of controversy over local units designated for assisted living vs. long-term care, at the end of the day, much needed and well-developed affordable rurban housing offers many benefits to communities, developers and residents alike.

Communities benefit as it contributes to local sustainability and integration by:

  • providing housing for a diverse local workforce;
  • providing direct economic benefits to the community, including increased demand for goods and services which, in turn, provide increased local employment opportunities;
  • accommodating people with the different skills required to support communities, such as shop assistance, bus drivers, construction workers, cleaners, nurses, teachers, etc.;
  • meeting the needs of the growing number of smaller households living in high-cost areas; and
  • promoting economic and social integration – ensuring that families’ housing costs are not so high that they can’t afford to meet education and health costs as well as obtain and maintain employment.

Residents of affordable housing initiatives benefit as it provides housing that:

  • is more affordable than what is available in the local market, thereby still allowing income for essential expenses such as food, clothing, health and education;
  • integrates with the community; and
  • provides a way for people to remain in areas in which they have lived for a long time, and to live close to their support networks, during changes in life circumstances such as divorce, retirement, or recovery from illness or injury.

Developers of affordable housing benefit because:

  • local policies promoting affordable housing may offer financial incentives – for example, through the provision of density bonuses;
  • affordable housing provides housing within and close to employment centres, which supports a strong labour force and vibrant economy; and
  • there are often attractive returns to be made, especially from mixed development or joint ventures.

In rural and rurban areas, sustainability is about keeping local people living and working in their local area. 

And regardless of controversy, affordable housing is just one tool to help communities make sustainability happen.

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