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Foundation helping Lacombe residents secure accommodation

After a long and sometimes uncertain wait a Lacombe affordable housing project has opened its doors and provided homes for more than 70 people.

After a long and sometimes uncertain wait a Lacombe affordable housing project has opened its doors and provided homes for more than 70 people.

Lacombe Foundation had originally hoped to finish the townhouses by August 2008, but work then stopped on the already-delayed project because of a dispute with contractors that wound up in court.

Construction started again this year and a low-key grand opening for Terrace Heights Landing was held earlier this month.

Foundation administrator said all of the two-bedroom and three-bedroom units have been rented out and the reviews have been glowing.

“They’ve been super. People are so appreciative.”

Two-bedroom units rent for $675 and three-bedroom units up to $875. That is about 70 per cent of market rates, he said.

Residents of the townhouses cover a wide spectrum.

One townhouse has become home to a family of six, another is being shared by three young immigrant men getting a start in Canada.

Archibald said following the opening ceremony a little boy thanked him for building the project and finally giving him a home. “That kind of really choked me up there.”

While the project is completed, the legal disputes are not over.

“It’s ongoing. Obviously, I can’t comment about it, it’s in court here,” he said. “I think the good thing for us is at least the building is occupied with people who need the assistance with affordable housing. The rest of it will work itself through the courts.”

Meanwhile, the foundation is already busy with its next project. Twenty affordable housing units are being built in Blackfalds, including a 16-unit townhouse complex being built by Red Deer’s Abbey Homes.

Also under construction are two houses for seniors and two for people with physical handicaps.

It is expected the $4.1 million project will be ready for tenants by March.

pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com