I have been receiving questions from community members in Holyrood about the former Golden Homes site and wanted to provide the latest update.
As folks in Holyrood will know, Golden Homes was a special cluster of homes in the heart of the neighbourhood, providing affordable housing for seniors for several decades. As the buildings neared the end of their life, Greater Edmonton Foundation (GEF) was planning to redevelop the site into a larger-scale apartment.
Unfortunately, due to funding shortfalls and the significant rise in construction costs over the last two years, GEF was unable to proceed with their planned affordable housing project for seniors. The land and buildings were then transferred back to the City’s ownership by GEF.
The City’s Affordable Housing section is now exploring how the property can be used to help meet Edmonton’s housing needs. As many Edmontonians know, there is a concerning lack of options for affordable seniors housing. Holyrood is a fantastic neighbourhood, with great access to transit and amenities, where folks would love to have more opportunities for ageing in their community. I was looking forward to this affordable seniors housing project, and am disappointed that GEF is unable to proceed.
The type of affordable housing on the Golden Homes site has not been decided, and there are no designs, concept plans, or proposals for the site at this time. Currently, the site is undergoing testing and abatement of hazardous materials before demolition of the existing structures, which are unfortunately not habitable. The site will be returned to a levelled/grassed state, as there is no timeline for redevelopment.
There have been no changes or approvals from the original zoning that was in place for GEF. If any changes to the zoning are put forward, notice would be provided to surrounding neighbours and a public hearing would be held.
If the site is sold for a below-market price, which typically is the case for affordable housing sites, it will require approval from Council's Executive Committee. At that time, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to share their input (committee agendas can be found here). Project updates will also be shared online and with the Community League when the site is made available for proposals, when a housing provider is selected, and throughout the redevelopment process.
I do understand that some community members have voiced concerns regarding the type of housing that may be developed on this site. Unfortunately, I can't speak to any proposed housing type or theoretical projects, as it will depend on the proposals the City receives. It should be noted that the public listing for the sale of the property will include clear guidelines for submission requirements. These guidelines will outline expectations and evaluation criteria for prospective proposals, similar to what is outlined in the City’s existing non-market affordable housing land listings.
As for affordable housing more broadly, projects are advancing city-wide, including surplus school sites in: Belmont, Blue Quill, Caernarvon, Dunluce, Kiniski Gardens, La Perle, Lymburn, Miller, Overlanders, Summerlea, and Wedgewood. Projects currently in development include: the Quarters, Holyrood, Athlone, Keheewin, Ogilvie Ridge, Canora, Garneau, and Parkdale. Existing developments include: King Edward Park, Wellington, Inglewood, Terrace Heights, and Westmount.
The City has a target of 16% affordable housing for each neighbourhood, which helps ensure affordable options are available in all corners of the city. There is a need for affordable housing options everywhere, which is why projects are advancing city-wide, as opposed to concentrating them in a single neighbourhood.
If you're interested in learning more about the City's approach to affordable housing, you can do so here. You may also wish to contact the City's Affordable Housing Team at housing@edmonton.ca for more information.
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