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Affordable housing will get a Needs Assessment in the fall

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At the Cochrane town council meeting on July 8, the council approved $25,000 to be spent from the affordable housing reserve fund. This spending will help pay for the needs assessment by the Cochrane Society of Housing Options, done in partnership with Family and Community Support Services.

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The Cochrane Society for Housing Options (CSHO) is a non-profit organization that aims at providing a range of affordable housing options within the community and surrounding area. It focuses on supporting low to moderate income families and individuals who are looking for a secure living situation.

The selection process for its programs is based on need and priority is given to those who reside in Cochrane and the immediate surrounding western Rocky View County.

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Some of their programs include Residential Rental Housing which aims to provide affordable rental rates in safe and suitable housing. CSHO currently owns and operates 38 units under the Provincial Affordable Housing Program, their units have a vacancy rate of less than 1 per cent.

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Other programs include free or affordable educational opportunities related to renting and owning homes and Home Reno Heaven which accepts donations of building materials and home renovation items then re-sells them at affordable prices.

The needs assessment is an integral part of getting more funding for new affordable housing options within the community. The last assessments were done in 2002 and 2009, it helped CSHO secure funds for two major projects from the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. This fund is given out by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the federal government.

Corinne Burns the housing coordinator for CSHO and Kim Krawec the director for Family and Community Support Services told council they hope the needs assessment will be completed in less than 12 months. The assessment is set to start work this upcoming fall.

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Burns and Krawec also explained to council that with the town’s population increasing over the last several years, so has the demand for social infrastructure. One of the projects CSHO is considering, if they get the funding they need, is the development of the old town hall site. They would use this space to develop to a commercial rental space.

In addition to the funds from council, the society is also applying for a grant from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation that would give them between $3,000 to $5,000 to help with the price tag of the study.

You can learn more information about the Cochrane Society for Housing Options at csho.ca.

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