Cedar Point budget discussed
A report detailing the operating budget of Cedar Point (formerly Coordinated Care Campus) was presented to city council last month.
The project now houses 63 supportive housing units, 43 affordable housing units as well as municipal offices.
“This recovery-centered program is funded through provincial Outreach Support Services Initiative (OSSI) funding with the program services led by the Mustard Seed,” said Wendy Hughes, city director of Housing and Homeless Initiatives.
“Essentially, the budget is offset by revenues incurred through rents, commercial rents, grant funding and leases.”
She noted that Cedar Point houses municipal offices, the Grande Prairie Police Service and the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP).
Revenue from Cedar Point’s 2024 budget includes $1.6 million in OSSI funding, $40,000 in commercial rent, city leases totalling $608,000 and $948,000 from residential rent.
The total operational municipal contribution in 2024 is about $45,000.
Cedar Point was purchased and originally budgeted at $15.5 million. Unexpected costs resulting in additional renovations drove that number to about $23.4 million.
“Cedar Point provides much-needed social housing options, and the increase in housing with supports will result in an increase in the well-being of residents with complex needs by providing safe, stable housing and access to supports within a recovery model,” said Hughes.
“With these investments, there is an anticipated reduction in encampments, calls for service with less impacts on resources, such as the health care system policing, and emergency shelter services.”
Hughes said the program is seeing success.
“Under the guidance of the Mustard Seed, I believe that's going to continue,” she said.
Hughes noted that there were about 520 homeless people in the city in February and 543 in March.
She noted a point-in-time count will be conducted in November.
Supportive housing units at Cedar Point cost $700 monthly, and rent includes furnishings, laundry, meals, programming and support.
Affordable units are rented at $950 per month and include fully furnished suites, utilities, kitchenettes, TV, parking and free laundry facilities.
Jesse Boily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Town & Country News
