Background
The urgent need for the City of Airdrie to begin to address the issue of affordable housing became apparent in 2004 as the community’s population started to explode. Simultaneously the cost of rent and housing prices began to soar as vacancy rates plummeted. Almost overnight, the City’s social service agencies noticed a serious spike in clients presenting with housing issues and the lack of options available to them.
Incorporation
By 2007, it became apparent that the problems with housing that were occurring in Airdrie were being experienced in communities around the province and after an election in early 2008 the provincial government formed the new ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. A mandate of ‘developing 11,000 affordable housing units by 2012’ and grant money in the form of municipal block funding was being distributed to qualifying municipalities, including Airdrie. The City needed an organization to oversee the management of the funds and to implement the City’s Affordable Housing Plan. Airdrie Housing Limited was established in January 2008 and officially incorporated as a non-profit corporation, overseen by a nine-seat Board of Directors in August of 2008. The Board of Directors consists of two representatives from Council, a senior city administrator and six members of the community at large.
Identifying and Meeting Objectives
Airdrie Housing Limited is currently working with the City of Airdrie in implementing the objectives outlined in the 2024-2030 Affordable Housing Principled Action Plan that are applicable to our organization.
The guiding principle of Airdrie Housing Limited’s strategy is to own and operate a diverse range of unit types and sizes in strategic locations throughout the community, with proximity to schools, shopping, medical services, transportation, and recreational amenities. Our vision is to provide eligible residents a step up with respect to their housing choices and costs, in relation to market. At present, Airdrie Housing Limited has 82 housing units available.
Alliances
Airdrie Housing Limited works closely with Community Links to provide intake service and assessment of those in need of housing.