By James Wood

Province purchases Medicine Hat apartment building for conversion to supportive housing

Sep 5, 2017 | 12:46 PM

MEDICINE HAT, ALTA- The provincial government has bought real estate in Medicine Hat.

According to a news release issued on Tuesday, the province purchased a 15-unit apartment building in the Gas City, with plans to convert the space into permanent supportive housing. Residents are expected to move in before the end of the year.

Those living in the building will have access to Housing First wraparound supports, as well external services as necessary to address their needs and help them stay housed.

“All Albertans deserve to be safe, live in dignity and have a place to call home,” said Irfan Sabir, the Minister of Community and Social Services.

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“Working with our partners, our government is helping Medicine Hat residents get the supports they need while living in a house of their own, so they can regain their independence and get back on their feet.”

The building will be managed by the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, which handles social housing programs in the city, as well as providing residential support. All of the former tenants of the building have either been successfully relocated, or are in the process of relocating, according to the province.

“The solution to homelessness is not a one size fits all effort,” said Mayor Ted Clugston.

“This investment by the province will help address those with needs that go beyond basic housing to achieve a better quality of life.”

A total of $2.15 million is coming from the province for the project, along with $3.1 million the province already provides for Housing First programming in the city, and $560,000 in annual funding for the city’s homeless shelter.

“Medicine Hat has advocated strongly for the need for permanent supportive housing options, and we are thrilled with this investment in our community,” said Jaime Rogers, the manager of Homeless and Housing Development with the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society.

“This project will include the provision of onsite 24/7 supports to individuals who have a history, or at risk of, housing instability that are currently living in the private rental market and being supported by our exceptional community partners and services.”

Rogers said this building will be for people who have been participating in the housing first program for upwards of six years.

She adds this new building will help take pressure off the rest of the system.

Renovations are expected to start as early as next week with tenants moving in as soon as October.