Jasperites finally have some answers about interim housing.
Details about the type, layout and anticipated location of Parks Canada-procured interim housing have been released by the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre.
According to the JRCC, approximately 100 duplex-style trailers, representing up to 200 units of housing, plus another 120 single, dorm-style units, are currently en route to Jasper.
“The anticipated 300-plus housing units are expected to start arriving in Jasper by mid-February, with initial occupancy expected by February 26, 2025,” according to a January 31 update on the Municipality of Jasper’s website.
The duplex trailers will be located on all four of the serviced parcels within the townsite; the dorm-style units will be located at Marmot Meadows, adjacent to Whistlers Campground.
Duplex units, which are being billed as suitable for families, contain two bedrooms, two half-bathrooms, two stove/oven units, two fridges and other kitchen appliances. Chairs, beds, televisions and couches are also included.
The dorm-style trailers contain eight single occupancy units, each with their own washroom. The eight dorm units in each trailer share a kitchen, washer/dryer and recreation/lounge area.
In a press conference January 21, Jasper’s director of recovery Michael Fark acknowledged these high-density units would not be overly comfortable but emphasized there are no perfect or elegant solutions.
“The reality is that we have a large number of Jasper residents who need to be housed, and we have limited land available in order to meet those needs, so we need higher-density housing styles in order to be able to meet those pressing needs,” he said.
Duplexes for families of two or three people will fetch $1,000/month for a single side; both sides (suitable for households of three or more) are being made available for $1,500/month.
Dorms will rent for $500/month.
Pets are allowed with a month’s rent damage deposit. Utilities (electricity, gas, internet) are included in the rent.
The housing is being provided by Parks Canada after months of impasse between the province, the federal government and the municipality. The provincial government’s offer of $112 million for 250 permanent homes has been deemed unsuitable for Jasper’s housing needs.
On January 24, approximately 250 residents marched in solidarity with wildfire-displaced residents. Organizers rebuked the Government of Alberta for not listening to local planners and instead trying to dictate the terms of their housing support.
The province has pointed out Alberta has invested more than $170 million in Jasper’s rebuild, including $149 million in Disaster Recovery Program funding.
Fark said priority for the interim housing would go to the 70 families currently being housed in local hotels. A housing matrix has been presented to Jasper municipal council.
Parks Canada is considering making land at Wabasso Campground available for a possible contractor style camp for the rebuild workforce, according to the MOJ.
“This land is one area being considered as part of an initiative with the municipality to find housing solutions for recovery workforce and seasonal workers,” Parks Canada has said.
Interested parties can take a virtual tour of the duplex units being supplied by Parks Canada.
To be considered for interim housing, residents displaced by the 2024 Jasper Wildfire must fill out an interim housing application.
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
