Energy-efficient Affordable Housing

April 22, 2008

Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Affordable housing is a serious issue in Alberta , so the emphasis must be on getting more units built and fast. We need to be very aware of how these units are being constructed, specifically in terms of energy efficiency. We can build needed units and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the government must take this leadership. To the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs: given that building energy-efficient affordable
housing is good for the environment and helps low-income earners save money, why has the government not considered this in its affordable housing strategy, and are they prepared to do this now . . .

The Speaker: The hon. minister. [ interjection] The hon. minister has been recognized.

Mrs. Fritz: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that is a very good initiative for affordable housing, and in fact there are projects in Alberta that have put in applications for the funding that's available. As you know, there was over $ 200 million available in the last budget under the Affordable Housing Task Force report recommendation. Those projects have been approved for funding, as I said. They are ongoing. I think there is one in the Calgary community, hon. member, that you may be interested in viewing, and I could speak to that more or send the information.

Ms Pastoor: Thank you for that. Given that developers of affordable housing may not use energy-efficient standards unless it's economical for them, is the minister prepared to offer incentives to builders who would construct affordable housing using methods such as LEED standards and using energy-efficient appliances, windows, doors, paint, and flooring?

Mrs. Fritz: Well, absolutely, Mr. Speaker. LEED is the standard model to follow. I know that at the University of Calgary , for example, they had a very wonderful building through the Child Development Centre built recently with LEED standards. That is becoming much more prevalent in the community, and that would extrapolate itself as well to the affordable housing initiatives that we do have. As I said, communities and municipalities know their local priorities and are very concerned about the environment and about the housing that they build, and those projects are coming forward. Yes, we would look at those standards.

Ms Pastoor: Thank you for that, to the minister. It's good to know that this is in the discussion.
Given that land is a major barrier to constructing more affordable housing units and that the province needs to make more land available, will the minister ensure that any developments that occur on provincial land that has been provided for affordable housing are constructed using energy-efficient methods?

Mrs. Fritz: Mr. Speaker, I'm more than pleased to look at that initiative as well that the member is bringing forward. Just in the total package, as I said, hon. member, you may wish to look at projects that are beginning in the province that are incorporating exactly what you've brought forward, in an environmentally sensitive way for the community. Thank you.