Here's the backgrounder:
Affordable housing debacleShort summary: City of Camrose received $7.9 million in provincial funding to build an affordable housing complex in February of 2008. Over two years later the provincial dollars still sit unused and the site empty with a real need for some affordable housing.
Furthermore, about $1.5 million is also at the City's disposal under the provincial block funding program.
TOTAL - $9.4 million. Only $150,000 (1.6 per cent) dispersed in over two years.
Please, read on:
Well, I went to the big affordable housing meeting this morning, and let's just say once again I was underwhelmed with the lack of action and drive to move plans into action. The brochure was off this month's agenda and so was the Wild Rose housing project, but when a member mentioned adding it as an item just for an update, the answer was blunt: NO. The chair of the meeting, also a city councillor said "We have to stop talking about this now."
The member, who is a bit timid, proceeded to request a motion to be removed from the committee, because he truly felt that the group would be doing something substantive and blazing the trail forward.
I share his frustration. I certainly wouldn't describe any part of either meeting to be blazing any trails. I think the first thing to "blaze" is the trail that the former affordable housing task force left behind.
The task force did good work. I don't question that, nor do I question any of its' members good intentions or integrity, but when issues are being discussed, they're all facing backwards in the past tense (did, was, had, should have etc.)
Maybe its time to break out the matchbook and kindling and blaze the trail into the future instead of just spinning wheels in the mud talking about the former plans, studies, hopes and dreams that were crafted once upon a time. The money's here.
Action is defined as: "The act or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim or goal." Note the verb "doing." That's not past tense historical talk, that's happening in the now. $9.3 million available in provincial funding. When can someone expect to see some action?
It's DAY 776 since the mayor signed the contract for the $7.9 million grant for the housing complex. I'm hoping for at least a sign saying "Coming soon" on the property sometime before day 1000 if indeed that is what the goal is. Otherwise maybe "This is the site of where there was once a good idea," would suffice.
Oh, and apparently nobody cares about this project. That's by "official executive declaration."
It's day 776. Maybe it's time for a barn dance in front of city hall to celebrate.
Give me a break.
-Brandon Blatz
