WHEREAS the lodge assistance program grant had not been increased from April 1st 2005 until July 2008; and WHEREAS all costs associated with providing support living services have been increasing by approximately 5% per year; and WHEREAS senior lodges are a very important housing component in Alberta;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request that the Government of Alberta increase the Lodge Assistance Program Grant annually by a minimum as set out in Canadian Consumer Price Index.

The County of Newell is a municipal partner with several other municipalities in Newbrook and Playfair Senior Lodge Housing Facilities. These two facilities provide affordable housing to approximately 200 senior households. Currently, most affordable senior housing facilities in Alberta are struggling to operate each and every year. Costs associated with operating these facilities have gone up substantially over the past decade and the $7.50 lodge assistance grant has not kept up with operating cost increases or cost of living increases in general. In fact, the allocation has not changed since 2005. Operating costs for Playfair and Newbrook Lodge facilities have gone up 290% and requisitions to the partnering municipalities being the City of Brooks, Town of Bassano, Village of Tilley, Duchess, Rosemary and the County of Newell have gone up 793% in order to avoid operational deficits. Many affordable senior housing projects in Alberta are in financial crisis and continuing to offload that to the requisitioning municipalities simply is not a workable solution. While there is a definite need to overhaul the entire grant funding program for senior affordable housing projects, the County of Newell requesting that the Government of Alberta agree to annual increases to the senior lodge assistance program, by a minimum, as set out in the Canadian Consumer Price Index.

Resolution 7-08S: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Province of Alberta to assume the responsibility of funding capital and review operating costs for seniors facilities. Resolution 4-07F: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) lobby the Provincial Government to amend the assistance program for Alberta’s Seniors to provide increased funding to offset the rapidly increasing costs of property taxes and rent on Seniors’ property and rental accommodations in order to keep as many seniors as possible in their own homes and to lessen the burden on Seniors’ Housing facilities, now and in the future. Resolution 1-07S: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request that the Government of Alberta amend the Alberta Capital Finance Authority Act to add Seniors’ Housing Authorities as shareholders of the Alberta Capital Finance Authority. Resolution 31-05F:THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Government of Alberta to amend Section 7(2) of the Alberta Housing Act to change the basis of determination for municipal requisitions to a percentage-based system with 50% determined by population and 50% determined by equalized assessment. See also the Fall 2008 resolution Funding for Seniors Facilities.