Mill Woods residents protest scope change in Kiniski Gardens affordable housing project
About 30 residents gathered Thursday to object to the conversion of a planned seniors housing site to a 68-unit affordable housing development, saying the city failed to consult them adequately.
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Approximately 30 people protested the Kiniski Gardens affordable housing development in Mill Woods on Thursday, citing inadequate community consultation and frustration over a fundamental shift in the project's scope.
More than 800 residents signed a petition expressing concerns about the conversion from a seniors housing development to a 68-unit affordable housing development. David Benson, a resident, told the Edmonton Journal the shift caught many off guard. "We always knew it was going to be senior's housing. Somewhere along that changed to affordable housing. None of us are opposed to affordable housing. What we're upset about is how did it go from one to the other? There are two totally different types of people," Benson said.
Peterson said residents' last meaningful communication was a community meeting a year ago that drew only 27 people. "The last communication we had was a meeting a year ago where 27 people showed up," Benson said. Protesters included former Edmonton-Manning MLA Peter Sandhu and social media critic Jesse Watson, and called for the project to be paused.
Right at Home Housing Society executive director Marisa Redmond said the organization never intended to build senior housing—a previous proposal for that use never materialized. She was present at Thursday's protest and gave business cards to residents, offering to answer their questions. "We understand change is hard. Give me a time, let's chat, I'll answer all your questions," Redmond told Benson.
After speaking with Redmond, Benson said he would push the city for more information. "It would have been great to know some of these things she's talking about, but none of that's been there. I think that goes back to the city. I don't think my attitude has changed in regards to this facility. We're not against affordable housing — there hasn't been any transparency for what this is going to be," he said.
One resident, Dan Gallant, was a solo counter-protester. "I was at the consultation at Burnewood Community League — we've already had all these concerns aired out. I've been cleaning up this neighbourhood for 30 years of my life. As a person living here, I want these neighbours to know they're welcome here," Gallant said.
Right at Home Housing Society broke ground in July on the $23.6-million project, one of several surplus school sites the city is converting into new homes.
Why did the scope shift from seniors housing to affordable housing, and when did that decision occur?
What does the city say about the level of community consultation on the conversion?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How many units will the Kiniski Gardens development have?
The Kiniski Gardens affordable housing development will have 68 units.
What was the project originally planned to be?
Kiniski Gardens was originally planned as a seniors housing development, but the scope changed to an affordable housing development instead.
How much is the Kiniski Gardens project costing?
The Kiniski Gardens project costs $23.6 million.
When did Right at Home Housing Society break ground on Kiniski Gardens?
Right at Home Housing Society broke ground on the project in July.
