Canada-wide workshops to give tools to groups looking to bring affordable housing to their communities

The Rural Development Network (RDN) was awarded $59,445 from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to carry out workshops that will equip groups with tools to develop accessible, affordable housing that meet the needs of Canadians.

Edmonton – The RDN announced the launch of a nation-wide workshop tour following the CMHC’s National Housing Strategy (NHS)’ Demonstrations Initiatives’ official announcement. Recipients received funding ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.

“This grant from the NHS’ Demonstrations Initiative is a great opportunity to boost smaller communities’ capacity to develop affordable housing at no charge to attendees” says Asad Bhatti, Manager of Capital Funding at the RDN. “we have previously hosted workshops across the country and have received overwhelmingly positive responses. Now we can continue providing groups with the necessary tools to develop more affordable housing. This will help them bring ideas into fruition and house more Canadians.”

“This toolkit tour will help spread the word about how to cost-effectively build affordable housing in Canada’s smaller communities,” says Dee Ann Benard, RDN’s Executive Director. “The workshops will allow participants to be led, using an interactive process, through RDN’s Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Affordable Housing, with the ability to ask questions and perform exercises pertinent to their own potential housing projects.”

Designed to guide smaller organizations and communities through the complex process of developing affordable housing, this two-day workshop will be held in six different cities over the course of seven months. To register for the free 3-day workshop, visit the eventbrite page.

Workshop dates and locations are as follows:

Alberta - February 23, 24, 25; 9am - 12pm MT

Ontario - March 9, 10, 11; 1pm - 4pm ET

British Columbia - March 23, 24, 25; 9am - 12pm PT

Saskatchewan & Manitoba - April 6, 7, 8; 9am - 12pm CT

Atlantic - April 20, 21, 22; 1pm - 4pm AT; 1:30pm - 4:30pm NT

Territories - May 4, 5, 6; 9am - 12pm MT

Québec - May 18, 19, 20; 1pm - 4pm ET

About RDN: The Rural Development Network (RDN) is a not-for-profit partnership of nine Alberta post-secondary institutions dedicated to addressing key issues in rural communities at a local level. The Sustainable Housing Initiative (SHI) is an initiative created by RDN to support rural and remote communities across Canada to successfully develop affordable housing. SHI has authored the Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Affordable Housing, available for free, in French and English, from the RDN's website.

About the NHS Demonstrations Initiative: The NHS Demonstrations Initiative showcases forward-looking technologies, practices, programs, policies and strategies to spur the future of housing in Canada. It prioritizes projects that support sustainable, energy-efficient, accessible, age-friendly and socially inclusive affordable housing.

The Jumpstart Your Affordable Housing Workshop received funding from the National Housing Strategy under the NHS Demonstrations Initiative, however, the views expressed are the personal views of the author and CMHC accept no responsibility for them.

Register today

ADDED by

Julia Juco