Alberta begins work on modular homes for fire victims

Key Takeways

• Alberta’s government has committed $112 million to support the rebuilding efforts in Jasper, with the primary focus on constructing interim housing for displaced residents, including those from the Pine Grove Seniors Citizens Manor, which was destroyed in the 2024 Jasper wildfire complex.
• The funding will be used to build approximately 250 modular homes for eligible displaced residents, providing a faster and efficient solution due to their off-site construction and permanent foundation installation. These homes will be offered at market rent and later sold when no longer needed for recovery.
• In addition to rebuilding in Jasper, up to 25 modular housing units will be built in Hinton for the displaced seniors from Pine Grove Manor. These units will initially serve as interim housing but will later be repurposed as affordable housing for the community.

The Whole Story:

Alberta’s government continues to support recovery efforts in Jasper and is helping residents return to the community with $112 million in funding for interim housing.

To support rebuilding efforts in Jasper, government is committing $112 million to build interim housing for displaced Jasper residents and residents of Pine Grove Senior Citizens Manor.

The 2024 Jasper wildfire complex destroyed or damaged around 30% of structures in Jasper, including the Pine Grove Seniors Citizens Manor, a government-owned building.

Work on the sites in Jasper has already begun, and the first residents are expected to begin moving in as early as January 2025. Homes in Jasper will be available for essential service workers and support service workers, and other eligible Jasper residents who lost their homes and are employed in the area. Alberta’s government will ensure that interim homes are ready for eligible residents as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“Our entire country grieved when wildfire ravaged Jasper this past summer. We know the rebuilding process takes time, and we’re doing all we can to support Jasper’s recovery,” said Premier Danielle Smith. “Most of all, people want to return home, and the funding we have approved will speed up that process so folks can rebuild their lives and move forward sooner.”

To support the interim housing needs of Jasperites, the government is supporting the construction of modular homes. It is estimated that this portion of the provincial funding will build 250 modular homes for eligible displaced Jasper residents. Modular homes are constructed off-site, in a controlled environment, to allow for all-season construction and accelerated schedules. They are installed using permanent foundations that ensure the safety and comfort of the occupants.

Interim housing units in Jasper will be provided at market rent, and applications and eligibility details will be released in the future. Units in Jasper will be sold at market value when they are no longer required for interim housing for Jasper recovery.

“On behalf of the people of Jasper, I extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of Alberta for their critical support in funding interim housing as we work to rebuild Jasper,” said Richard Ireland, mayor of Jasper. “This housing isn’t just about the buildings, it’s directly linked to our social and economic recovery including the mental well-being of the community as a whole.”

Alberta’s government is also supporting the residents of Pine Grove Manor with interim housing in Hinton. Pine Grove Manor was destroyed by the fire and this interim housing will keep residents close to their community while the seniors home is rebuilt. Up to 25 units of modular housing will be built for seniors in Hinton on a site that was given to the project by the Town of Hinton. These units in Hinton will later be used as affordable housing for the community. Work on these sites is expected to begin in January and the first seniors are expected to begin moving in as early as April 2025.

A request for proposals will be released on both of these projects as the next steps in this process. Funding from Alberta’s government will be contributed to these projects over two fiscal years.