Patrick Lancaster, the city’s manager of social programs and services, presents to council during a regular meeting on June,23, 2025. (screenshot/ City of Lloydminster)

By Kenneth Cheung

HOUSING GAP

Lloydminster to spend $150K planning housing solutions for residents

Jun 25, 2025 | 5:32 PM

Lloydminster city council has approved a $150,000 plan to help bring emergency, transitional, social and affordable housing projects to a shovel-ready state.

Council unanimously passed the measure June 23, authorizing an 18-month contract to hire a contractor who will support the Housing and Homelessness Working Group. The goal is to complete the groundwork needed to pursue future builds.

The move follows the city’s 2023 Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy, which identified gaps across the housing continuum.

“This contractor would support the development of a new builds plan to increase the inventory of family shelter, transitional housing, permanent supported housing, and affordable housing,” said Patrick Lancaster, the city’s manager of social programs and services.

“Some of the work that this contractor would be doing is really to get partners in place, plans in place, land in place, funding in place, and programs in place.”

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The $150,000 will come from the city’s Resiliency Reserve. The contract was not included in the 2025 budget, but city officials said it’s a proactive move to ensure readiness for future federal and provincial funding opportunities.

“There’s no current funding opportunities open at the moment,” said executive manager Tracy Simpson. “We’re anticipating some funding announcements in the next 12 to 18 months… What we’d want to do is take advantage of this time to build our plans and so they are shovel ready when those funding announcements do come.”

Mayor Gerald Aalbers supported the decision, noting a federal budget is expected this fall.

“If this is what it takes to move this forward in our community for the betterment of all residents, I think this is the right step,” he said.

The city emphasized it is not becoming a housing developer or landlord.

“The intent would be to support the housing working group, and the partners at that table,” Lancaster said. “As builds come together, they would be the ones administrating, owning, [and] operating these properties.”

Coun. Jim Taylor raised concerns about contractor accountability.

“Let’s say six months into it… if it’s just not looking like it’s going anyway, is there a way to get out of the contract without having to fulfill the whole financial application?” he asked.

“We have a 30-day notice. If you don’t like where things are going, stop at 30 days,” Coun. Michael Diachuk noted.

Lancaster added that the contractor will report to city administration and be paid monthly based on hours worked. The city estimates the funds will cover 1,200 to 1,700 hours, depending on rates. Key performance indicators will be developed in consultation with the working group.

Simpson said the city’s role is to support local organizations in developing a workable model.

“What we see the consultant being able to do, or the contractor, is to help those organizations establish a strong framework so that they are applying for funding and they’re applying for whatever they need to move housing development forward.”

A request for proposals will be issued immediately, with the city hoping to have someone in place by the end of September.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com