With new funding from the province recently announced, the Piper Creek Foundation will start construction on a 40-unit housing unit at 4707 – 34 St.

Officials say the $7.9 million project will support seniors in their housing needs.

“This is an exciting project for the Foundation as it builds the much-needed housing capacity for low to moderate income seniors,” said Karen Burnand, board chair. Construction is slated to start in August and wrap up by the fall of 2012.

This project marks the first affordable housing build the Foundation has launched since 2006 when an anonymous donor gifted a 50-unit facility in the Pines.

“We want to thank the City of Red Deer for gifting the land for this project and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the federal government for the grant,” said Burnand. “This development is a partnership between the City, the province, federal government and Piper Creek Foundation and it will be a great addition to the community.”

Back in 2009, the City sold the 1.07 acre lot to the Foundation for one dollar.

The new project will include 35-one bedroom and five, two bedroom units.

All the suites will be barrier free and will be designed specifically for seniors.

The Foundation will start taking applications later this year.

Last week, the province announced a federal-provincial investment of almost $90 million to bolster Alberta’s affordable housing stock.

Altogether, 12 projects will create more than 800 new housing units which will benefit an estimated 1,600 families, individuals, seniors and persons with disabilities, officials say.

Rob Anders, MP for Calgary West said on behalf of the federal government that the new construction projects are a “Great way to stimulate our economy and put Albertans to work.

“These will make a real and lasting difference in our communities, improving access to affordable housing and offering a better quality of life for our residents.”

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