The Province has set up a review panel to look at affordable housing.

The 10-member panel will provide recommendations to transform Alberta’s affordable housing system.

Through its review, the panel will identify ways to make the affordable housing system better serve Albertans in need as well as make more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Included on the panel is Lauren IngalLs, CEO of Westwinds Communities which provides seniors housing in High River, Okotoks and Black Diamond.

"I feel privileged to help shape the future of the province’s affordable housing system in order to sustain this critical resource. In this economic juncture, housing is more important than ever. I applaud the province for taking steps to review a program that has been evolving since 1958 to ensure it supports housing needs of vulnerable families, seniors and individuals with special needs, while supporting growing demands for innovative housing solutions.”

Specifically, the panel will consider:

The role the Government of Alberta plays in providing affordable housing.
Simplifying or easing regulatory structures that create costs and red tape for housing providers.
Gaps in the current affordable housing system.
Innovative approaches that will enable government and its partners to meet increasing demand for affordable housing.

Currently, more than 110,000 Albertans live in affordable housing.
Almost a half-million Albertans spend more than 30 per cent of their household income on rent, which is the standard for affordability.
More than 19,000 households are currently on waiting lists for affordable housing.

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