101 Street

 Who owns the land?

The land was owned by the Province of Alberta and was granted to Heartland Housing Foundation (HHF) for the sole purpose of building more affordable housing for the community. Heartland Housing Foundation is the non-profit Housing Management Body for Fort Saskatchewan and already provides affordable homes for 225 households across 4 properties (Dr. Turner Lodge, Dr. Henry House, Fort Lions Haven, and Muriel Ross Abdurahman Court).

What are you building there?

Our plan is to build 80-90 units of quality, all-ages affordable housing to that site, including 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units, with at least 20% of units featuring low-barrier accessibility features. This will be an all-ages property, with rents set at 20% lower than market rents or less. A portion of the lower floor will be dedicated to tenant amenity space, and there will be approximately 3,000 square feet of space reserved for Community Services (e.g. disability services, seniors services, etc.).

How tall will this building be?

Originally, we set out to have zoning approved at 20 meters of height, but after listening to feedback from neighbours of the site, we have revised the plan to allow for a maximum height of 16 meters. The building will be situated at the edge of the lot facing 101 Street, with parking and green spaces closer to the abutting residential properties.

What is the plan for parking?

Parking will be above ground and on-site. Based on parking studies done at similar properties and given proximity to public transit options, we have sought zoning approval for approximately 1.1 spots per bedroom in the building. Additional parking for guests and Community Service Facility needs have also been accounted for in the design, and bicycle parking has also been planned to encourage active transportation. Parking will be screened from neighbouring properties by landscaping, and lighting will be integrated with a sensitivity to safety and surrounding properties.

What about traffic impacts?

A traffic impact study has been conducted for the site which will inform the site plan and next steps.

Why not another senior’s lodge?

Subsidized seniors’ lodges, like Dr. Turner Lodge, are typically funded through a combination of provincial and federal funding, with ongoing operating costs subsidized by the municipality through a tax requisition. At this time, the three levels of government have not indicated that capital or operational funding would be available for another lodge. An all-ages apartment building would not require any operating subsidies and would be self-sustaining.

Is there really a need for this development?

Yes. Our waitlist for affordable housing in Fort Saskatchewan grows every month. There are currently nearly 200 households – including seniors and families with children - on the list for a home just like what we hope to build at 101 Street. Local market rental rates have increased over 30% over the last 4 years, putting unprecedented pressure on renters in the community. Our goal is to ensure that Fort Saskatchewan renters do not have to leave the community they call home to be able to afford their housing.

Why can’t the land stay vacant?

The need for affordable housing in Fort Saskatchewan is high. Our waitlists suggest that even 80 more units of below-market housing will make a difference. The land was given to HHF for the purpose of building affordable housing and was never intended to remain vacant.

Will all the trees be cut down?

Some trees on the site will need to be removed to accommodate the development. Heartland Housing will be conducting a tree study to account for the health and viability of all impacted trees. Our development practice is to replace every tree removed with a new, ecologically appropriate replacement to support the health and wellness of our neighbourhood.

What phase is the development currently in?

The development is currently in the predevelopment stage, where zoning and funding are being secured. The plan is to see construction begin by 2027. Construction can typically take 14 to 18 months to complete, but it is too early to predict when construction may be done[NS1] .

Are you accepting housing applications for the apartment yet?

The application process will not open until the building is close to completion, sometime – hopefully - in 2028. If you wish to receive updates on the project, you can join our mailing list by emailing development@heartlandhousing.ca and requesting to join the mailing list for the 101 Street development.

Who can I speak with for more information?

You can contact Adrienne Richard, Strategic Engagement Manager at development@heartlandhousing.ca