Low-cost housing in high demand in P.A.

A second affordable housing unit is now open in Prince Albert, showing the need for low-cost housing in the city. 

The grand opening of the new six-unit rental housing in the city’s East Hill, spearheaded by River Bank Development Corporation (RBDC), comes a month after a similar 30-unit complex’s unveiling by RNF Development Company.

The demand for the six apartments was apparent as Brian Howell with RBDC explained the grand opening was moved to a rear suite after the front suites had already rented out within a week.

Despite the city having what Howell calls a seven per cent vacancy rate, that number means little to those who can’t afford what is available.

These units cost $600 a month and are specially designed for people with disabilities, or people who have a hard time keeping up with the cost of housing. 

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The apartments are admittedly not fancy, but Howell said they are made well.

“We strive for sturdiness and cost-effectiveness.”

He added that as landlords, RBDC works hard to provide good service to its renters.

“We maintain our units as best we can and according to good property management standards.”

Howell has a theory that what used to be low-income housing in the city is now priced for middle-income households.

“Large property management companies from outside of our community have bought most of the apartment units and they’ve raised the rents to cover their mortgage costs I guess,” Howell explained.

“[It] seems from my perspective the property owners would prefer to run three-quarters full with a higher rent… without the problems that are often associated with lower rent.”

Meanwhile, RBDC is seeing nonstop demand.

“We empty a unit, and somebody moves in and we move someone else in as soon and as quickly as we can fix it up,” Howell said.

This is a common thread with other groups like the Prince Albert Housing Authority, Northern Spruce Housing Corporation, and Prince Albert Community Housing, he said.

 “So there’s really, in the affordable housing world, a zero vacancy rate.”

RBDC has worked with housing co-operatives since it formed in 1998 to help people facing economic and social circumstances leaving them in poverty.

Over a decade after getting into the rental game, it’s operating 85 units right now.

The grand opening featured speeches from Prince Albert’s mayor, Greg Dionne, RBDC, Prince Albert Northcote MLA Victoria Jurgens, and Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback.

The federal government and province helped fund the housing project.

claskowski@panow.com

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk