WESTLOCK — The Town of Westlock has been approved for $1.1 million in funding from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), which will be put towards implementing a locally-developed plan to resolve a housing shortage.
On Feb. 19, it was announced that Westlock, as well as the communities of Banff, Smoky Lake, Bow Island and Duchess, will receive a combined $13.8 million through the HAF, which was launched in March 2023.
The lion’s share of the funding will be going towards Banff (more than $4.6 million) and Sylvan Lake (over $5.485 million). Collectively, this funding will help spur the construction of more than 3,100 homes over the next decade.
The town submitted its application to the HAF back in August 2023, following a motion passed unanimously at the July 10, 2023 town council meeting.
“Being awarded the Housing Accelerator Fund is a significant win for our community,” said mayor Jon Kramer, in a release.
“The funding we will receive is a direct result of the diligent efforts, strategic planning and months of hard work of our town council and administration.”
Kramer added that this initiative's success clearly demonstrates the federal government recognizes the growth potential within the Town of Westlock.
“Our recent growth in infrastructure, business and industry has set the stage, and now with this grant, we can ensure our housing development keeps pace,” he said.
The $1.1 million will go towards implementing the elements of Westlock’s Housing Action Plan.
The plan consists of several initiatives, including a Residential Development Incentive Program that will offer financial incentives for select housing types in key areas of Westlock; a Secondary, Garden and Garage Suite Program that will encourage the development of secondary nits in high-impact areas; an Aspendale Area Structure Plan (ASP) that will unlock future residential development opportunities in the Aspendale neighbourhood; and a Southview Residential Subdivision Project that will integrate new residential lots into an existing community.
The town will also continue its work on the Housing Policy Framework improvements, focusing on the most critical policy changes to support varied housing needs, and will now be able to implement an e-permitting system to streamline the housing development application process.
Additional info on each of these initiatives can be found on the Town of Westlock’s website under the link to the Housing Accelerator Fund page, which will be updated as time goes on.
Reduced funding
It is worth noting that the town originally applied for $2.2 million to implement the various elements Housing Action Plan.
Chief administrative officer Simone Wiley said the reduced amount of funding will have some effect on the town’s plans.
She said some of the initiatives have already been budgeted, either in whole or in part, so additional funds won’t be necessary.
However, other programs proposed under the plan are direct cash initiatives or waiving of taxes, “so the reduced funding will impact the amount of those that will be able to be given out,” she said.
Nevertheless, Wiley said they are confident these focused initiatives will bring significant benefits to Westlock residents “at all life stages and economic situations.”
