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HOUSING: Kanas Corp, governments in joint pioneering effort to provide affordable housing
        (AlbertaIndex, November 27, Tuesday) --- The Kanas Shelter Corporation and the governments of Canada and Alberta have jointly launched the first of a private-public project to provide quality housing at below-market rental rates for people with low-to-moderate incomes.
       Last Friday, representatives from the company and the governments officially opened the $1.4 million nine-apartment Kanas Shelter at Parkhill Place off the MacLeod Trail.

The project consists of nine two bedroom suites and has been designed to be one of the most energy efficient developments in Calgary. Solar panels, in-floor heating, water saving devices and triple glazed windows were all used in the construction, which will lead to lower operating costs.

Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament for Calgary-Centre, on behalf of Monte Solberg, Canada’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and Wayne Cao, MLA for Calgary-Fort, on behalf of Ray Danyluk, Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Robert Sipka, President of developer Kanas Corp were the guests of honour.

The Federal and provincial governments provided a $450,000 grant through the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program while Kanas Corp which owns and built the property has agreed to maintain it for affordable housing for 20 years. The provincial government will screen, qualify and manage the tenants.

“Our government is committed to creating new affordable housing in Calgary and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Lee Richardson.

“The Kanas Shelter will help families and individuals get a roof over their heads and work towards building a better and stronger future.”

“We are very pleased to have contributed funding towards the Kanas Shelter Corp’s affordable housing project. This complex is a wonderful example of the quality of sustainable and affordable housing we wanted to see developed with the help of the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program in an effort to help those Albertans who need it most,” said MLA Wayne Cao.

“This government remains committed to working closely with our partners to increase the supply of affordable housing in Calgary and throughout the province to address the housing challenges that we are experiencing in Alberta.”

“These nine units will provide much needed affordable housing for low-income residents in Calgary. We would like to thank all orders of government and our other partners for their support of this housing initiative for the residents from our communities. Without the generous contribution of all levels of government this facility would not be possible. We look forward to working with them on future projects,” said Robert Sipka.

“For many Calgarians, having a job does not guarantee access to suitable shelter due to the high cost of living and low wages. It is our hope that Kanas Shelter will provide families in need with the opportunity to advance and plan for a brighter future.”

Mr Sipka said his company has worked hard to keep this project close to its original budget, proving that environmental building can be economically viable and sustainable.

Founded in 1996, the Kanas Group of Companies has spent the last three years planning, fundraising and building Kanas Shelter.

Mr Sipka said the future of development lies in environmentally responsible and sustainable building practices. In keeping with this philosophy, Kanas Shelter is Alberta’s first Energuide rated multi-family building.

The Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program assisted in the creation of sustainable rental housing for low- to moderate-income Albertans, through the construction of new or renovated affordable housing units. Under the program, close to $200 million was committed to affordable housing projects throughout the province that will lead to the development of close to 3,700 units.


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