Looking Back: 2023

In early 2023 we celebrated a return to pre-pandemic occupancy rates in our lodges, which means more of our region’s older adults are getting the support they need to age in their community safely and with dignity.

With a tremendous effort on the part of our Facilities and Management teams, we were proud to see the doors open at Muriel Ross Abdurahman Court in Fort Saskatchewan in May 2023. The 83-unit net-zero building is the first purpose-built near-market housing in the City, with rents 20% less than the local market rates, and a range of suites designed with accessibility needs in mind. We achieved full occupancy within just 80 days of the first move-in and are now managing a waitlist for the property.

Also in Spring 2023, we became the service delivery agent for the provincial Rent Assistance Benefit, which sees in-need households in our region receive subsidies to support sustainable tenancies. As a local delivery agent, we can support more equitable access to these funds and to the priority-scoring that defines an applicant’s position on the waitlist for future funding. We are currently serving nearly 100 households in our region through this program.

In Summer 2023 we initiated our 10-year anniversary celebrations as Heartland Housing Foundation. In summer 2013, our organization as we know it today was formed through the amalgamation of three smaller housing concerns, allowing a consolidation of resources and service optimization. Staff received a special gift as well as treats delivered by our leadership teams, and residents at our lodges had the occasion marked by the installation of custom outdoor flower planters.

In Fall 2023 our focus turned to engaging our neighbours in the Sherwood Heights community in Sherwood Park as part of our rezoning application for the land at 100 Fir Street. In 2022, Heartland Housing was the successful proponent in the County’s Expression of Interest for the former Clover Bar Lodge land. Prior to submitting our rezoning application for that land, we hosted two open house events and engaged with over 100 community members to gain their feedback and insight on the project. Some conversation topics at those engagements included the importance of retaining the neighbourhood’s character, conservative density and height targets, setbacks, greenspaces, and more.

Looking Ahead: 2024 and Beyond

In 2024, we will initiate a new strategic plan that will guide our evolution for the next 4 years. Priorities identified in that plan include optimizing our property management functions, improving the housing supply in the communities we serve, delivering quality support services through our programs and in partnership with other community resources, and fostering a thriving workplace for the over 200 people we employ.

This year we also hope to see the Fir Street project initialize, and we will be focusing on securing funding to support that development, with the aim of seeing construction begin in late 2024.

Heartland Housing Foundation at a Glance

• 12 properties, including lodges, 65+ exclusive, and all-ages apartments
• 900+ households served through housing and subsidy programs
• ~200 employees across 2 communities
• 470,000 nutritious meals and 5500 hours of enriching recreation programming annually at our lodges

Financial Summary

Revenues
	Lodge	Near Market	Seniors RGI	Total
Resident accommodation	6,183,594	4,811,259	1,157,673	12,152,526
Municipal requisition	4,989,110	-	-	4,989,110
Provincial grants	1,284,502	91,750	-	1,376,252
Other income	863,628	665,447	158,511	1,687,586
Total Revenue	13,320,834	5,568,456	1,316,184	20,205,474

Expenses
	Lodge	Near Market	Seniors RGI	Total
Human resources	7,529,951	1,731,109	518,463	9,779,523
Operating service	3,614,080	1,579,814	703,527	5,897,421
Rent on properties	988,954	1,272,190	-	2,261,144
Interest	-	120,170	-	120,170
Social assistance payments		82,407	-	82,407
Payable to Alberta Government	-	-	94,194	94,194
Depreciation and capital reserve	1,187,849	782,761	-	1,970,610
Total Expenses	13,320,834	5,568,451	1,316,184	20,205,469