Town Invests in Future Affordable Seniors Housing Through Strategic Partnership Grant

The Town of Sylvan Lake is taking another important step toward increasing housing options for residents through a new partnership with the Sylvan Lake Lodge Foundation. Through funding provided under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) grant received by the Town in 2024, the organization will support critical pre-development activities for a future affordable seniors housing project.

The funding is up to $710,000 and will enable the Sylvan Lake Lodge Foundation to undertake planning and development work that is essential to advancing the proposed project, including activities such as feasibility studies, site planning, design development, and other pre-construction requirements. These foundational steps will help position the organization to pursue future development opportunities that will increase the supply of affordable housing for seniors in Sylvan Lake.

This investment reflects the Town's commitment to creating a diverse and attainable housing supply while ensuring that seniors have access to housing options that meet their needs within our community.

“Seniors housing is one of Council’s key priorities, and we’re thrilled to be able to support the Sylvan Lake Foundation in such a meaningful way. Approving this contribution allows the real planning work to begin, and it puts our community in a much stronger position to access additional funding opportunities from other levels of government.

We want seniors to be able to stay in Sylvan Lake as their needs change, and this investment is an important first step toward making that possible. By using our Housing Accelerator Fund dollars for this project, we’re helping move the needle and showing that the Town is committed to being an active partner in creating affordable, appropriate seniors housing.

There is still lots of work ahead, but this decision reflects our priorities and our belief that supporting seniors is essential to a healthy, thriving Sylvan Lake.” – Megan Hanson, Mayor, Town of Sylvan Lake

The grant supports Council's Strategic Plan priorities by encouraging the development of affordable housing that meets Seniors' needs while strengthening community well-being.

The Sylvan Lake Lodge Foundation welcomed the partnership and the opportunity to advance the project.

"The Town of Sylvan Lake's partnership on this project is not just important — it is the key that makes everything else possible. Seniors who built this community deserve to age in it with dignity, and with the Town's leadership we can finally give them the homes they have been waiting for. This is Sylvan Lake taking care of its own." - Sharon Mulder-Fuchs, Chair, Sylvan Lake Lodge Foundation

"The Foundation has served Sylvan Lake seniors for 60 years, but we cannot build alone. The Town's involvement signals to every provincial and federal funder that this community is serious, and this project is real. Without that partnership, the grants don't flow. With it, we can put 24 new affordable homes in front of the seniors who have been waiting too long." - Tracy Elliott, Executive Director, Sylvan Lake Lodge Foundation

The Town continues to explore innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate housing development, improve housing affordability, and create more housing choice for residents, through its Housing Accelerator Fund initiatives.

Further details regarding the proposed project will be shared as planning advances.