Century-old Alberta Avenue church eyes affordable housing project
St. Faith's Anglican Church plans a five-story multiplex housing 40 families on its land, supported by new city funding for religious charities.
A century-old church on Alberta Avenue is moving forward with plans to develop part of its land into affordable housing, with support from a new city program designed to unlock faith-based properties for residential projects.
St. Faith's Anglican Church is facing significant building repairs and sees the opportunity to transform its property while addressing the city's housing shortage. Reverend Travis Enright envisions demolishing much of the structure—while preserving the inner sanctum—and building a five-story multiplex to house 40 families.
The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Community Foundation launched the Faith Lands Affordable Housing Incentive Program, which provides up to $135,000 to faith organizations to cover feasibility studies and environmental assessments. The program has $2 million available overall.
"Our mission is not necessarily to proselytize people," Enright said. "Our mission is to be neighbourly. Our mission is to care, to show love and compassion. The way we do that is making sure our buildings are used for that. Not just on Sunday—what is the church doing the rest of the week?"
Enright emphasized that building community is critical to addressing the loneliness epidemic. Residents will have affordable rent and proximity to church services and community engagement opportunities.
"We want it so there's as much community engagement as possible," Enright said. "So people aren't living in isolation in boxes—they can come and have a whole set of experiences, engage their spirit, engage their physicality and their emotions."