City supports Ehrlo Housing initiative
Ehrlo Housing has received a funding commitment for up to $50,000 from the City of Regina’s Housing Incentives Program (HIP) to support the revitalization of the Lakeshore Village apartments on 23rd Avenue in Regina.
This funding was provided through the City’s Pre-Development Grants Pilot Incentive stream under the HIP, which is supported by the Federal Housing Accelerator Fund.
The grant will help cover pre-development costs, including architectural and construction drawings, as well as support for developing the business case for rejuvenating Lakeshore Village.
Upon its completion, the pre-development profile will be shared with contractors to develop a more accurate estimate for the renovation costs so Ranch Ehrlo can determine how the project might be phased, develop a budget, determine financial viability, and apply for necessary permits. It will be during this stage of the project, that applications will be made to both the City of Regina’s Acquisition and Repair Fund and to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Affordable Housing Fund.
“If we lose 43 units of affordable housing due to aging infrastructure it will be a big loss for Regina, and I think the City understands that,” said Shelley Sayer, director of Ehrlo Housing. “I think it’s absolutely wonderful that they are stepping up – they understand the scope of the [housing] problem and are contributing to a solution.”
Built in 1958 and acquired by Ranch Ehrlo Society in 1997, the Lakeshore Village apartments have been part of Regina’s affordable housing network for decades, providing safe, affordable housing for families. The property includes 43 apartment units, one staff office, and four units converted into a community daycare centre.
Since the summer of 2024, Ranch Ehrlo has been working to identify and develop a business plan to address Lakeshore Village’s infrastructure and repair needs.
A preliminary inspection by third-party contractors revealed that, due to the age of the buildings and the tenant demographics, significant health and safety upgrades are required – including fire separation and notification systems, ventilation improvements, mechanical and electrical infrastructure repairs, and plumbing and electrical panel replacements. The units themselves are also dated and beyond their service life, requiring extensive refurbishments such as ceiling and wall repairs, painting, new flooring, doors and trim, appliances, and lighting. Initial reports estimate the cost of this work at more than $2 million.
“External funding sources are vital to the viability of this project because it wouldn’t be sustainable for Ranch Ehrlo, as a non-profit, to fund this otherwise,” concluded Shelley. “We need these 43 units to remain in the affordable housing network to meet the critical need and demand for lower cost housing. By funding this project, the City is helping to ensure that affordable housing units are not lost due to disrepair and over ever-increasing operating costs.”