Mayor Marcel Michaels, MLA Martin Long, Harry Arnesen (left to right)

Happy Creek Estates Additional Building Opening

The Town of Hinton is pleased to announce the unveiling of 9 additional housing units at the Happy Creek Estates additional building.

Just after 1:30pm, as a small crowd of Hintonites and dignitaries observed, three ribbons recognizing the contributions of the Province, Town of Hinton, and private business interests were cut by MLA Martin Long, Mayor Marcel Michaels, and Harry Arnesen respectively.

Mayor Michaels shared a quote regarding the development:

“Affordable housing is more than a place to sleep; it’s access to economic mobility, to healthy childhood development, to nutrition and health. This new affordable housing development means a better life for more Hintonites, at a time when need in our community is great.”

All partners in the development, including the Town of Hinton, Happy Creek Estates ownership, Evergreens Foundation, and Government of Alberta Family Social Supports and Housing Program were thanked for their contributions to the project.

The unveiling ended with a tour of one of the new units. All of the new units are anticipated to be welcoming their new residents soon, following final finishing and inspection.

MLA Martin Long

Mayor Marcel Michaels

Harry Arnesen

Background (from CivicSend in March of 2019)

The Town of Hinton is pleased to announce a new agreement with Happy Creek Estates to develop nine additional affordable housing units within Happy Creek Estates, slated to be built in 2019. This announcement follows Hinton Town Council's motion on February 19, 2019:

"That Council proceed to enter into the Amendment Agreement - 2019 with Happy Creek Estates Ltd. for the development of 9 additional affordable housing units within an existing housing complex with the term/conditions as circulated and reviewed by Council in-camera”.

The project has been made possible with grant funding from the Province of Alberta through their Family Social Supports and Housing Program. After the sale of local family housing units by the Evergreens Foundation, the province followed through on their commitment to reinvest this money in Hinton.

The community will benefit from this initiative, which will create additional affordable housing in the near future. The need for affordable housing is an issue felt by many municipalities in Alberta. While many rural communities are shrinking, Hinton has assets that make our town a desirable place to live. Available and affordable housing supports our residents, businesses and the community overall.

In addition to members of Hinton Town Council, Administration, and members of the public at large, the Town was very happy to welcome Lynda Cuppens, Executive Director of Capital Initiatives under the Seniors and Housing Ministry to speak on behalf of the province.