Alberta to build 250 modular homes for displaced Jasper residents

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The Alberta government is set to spend $112 million on building 250 new, temporary modular housing units for Jasper residents who lost their homes in last summer’s wildfire.

Seniors and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon made the announcement Monday morning alongside Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland, with both stating that the new homes are essential to rebuilding the community.

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“We understand that it is crucial that Jasperites look to come back to Jasper during this rebuilding process have somewhere to live,” Nixon said.

“The goal of these 250 units is to provide housing to people in Jasper that lost their homes so that we can take the time and rebuild the community appropriately.”

Ireland told reporters that housing was already a challenge in the community before the wildfire wiped out 820 units spread across 360 structures.

“For us, this housing is more than simply replacing housing buildings and structures. It is inextricably linked to our social, and to our economic recovery,” Ireland said. “It provides the sense of stability so essential for families and individuals.”

Nixon acknowledged the looming winter weather, saying, “Time is of the essence,” with residents expected to begin moving in as early as January.

The modular homes are built at off-site warehouses, Nixon said, before being transported to Jasper where they are put together in their final form.

“Roads will be built, sidewalks will be built, fully landscaped and fully serviced. They are at a very high quality,” he said.

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The new homes will be available for essential service workers, support service workers, and other eligible Jasper residents who lost their homes and are employed in the area.

More details on applications and eligibility are expected in the coming weeks.

The homes will be available at market rents with the province acting as the landlord. Nixon said that once residents have returned to their permanent homes, the modular facilities will be sold by the government and remain a part of Jasper’s housing stock.

Ireland said the sites for the new homes on the north and southwest ends of town have already been selected and are being serviced.

“We need to get these units in the ground as soon as possible and get people in them,” Ireland said.

The money the province is putting forward is also planned to cover the costs of separate interim housing for residents of the Pine Grove Senior Citizens Manor which was destroyed in the fire.

Up to 25 other modular housing units will be built in Hinton for seniors, with construction set for January ahead of a planned move-in date in April.

Those homes are planned to be converted into affordable housing units once the manor is rebuilt and operational again.

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Kristin Chambers with the Evergreens Foundation said those facilities will provide hope and stability for former residents of the manor who have been spread across various living arrangements and faced uncertainty about their futures.

“They were a very close-knit group, and they’re very excited to be back together again soon,” Chambers said of the residents.

Last month, the federal government announced it was granting relief of rents and fees payable to Parks Canada for individuals, businesses, and the municipality itself between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2027.

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