The federal government has earmarked two parcels of land in the Griesbach neighbourhood in north Edmonton to build 355 affordable homes through Build Canada Homes. Ottawa announced that it is accepting requests for qualifications (RFQ) for the partial redevelopment of the Village at Griesbach’s northeast corner. Housing will include 55 units and 300 units of multi-family housing of approximately six stories. “This investment in Edmonton is about more than housing — it’s about building inclusive communities where everyone has a fair chance to thrive,” said Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada in a statement. “The Village at Griesbach is a model for how we can use federal lands to accelerate affordable housing and support local organizations already making a difference.” Design-build teams for on-site construction will be selected by Build Canada Homes through the RFQs. Selected proponents will be required to prioritize Canadian-sourced materials. The project will use a “direct build” approach, using modern construction methods to accelerate housing delivery. “The Village at Griesbach project is about creating opportunity and community,” said Ana Bailão, CEO of Build Canada Homes. “By prioritizing this parcel for direct build, we’re accelerating the pace of construction and ensuring families in Edmonton have access to homes that are affordable, sustainable, and built for the future.” Build Canada Homes is a new federal agency launched on Sept. 14 with a mandate to scale the supply of affordable housing. Six parcels of Canada Lands Company sites will be developed in Longueuil, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton through Build Canada Homes. The deadline for RFQ submissions is Dec. 22. Selected proponents will proceed to the request for proposals stage in the new year.
