The Alberta Real Estate Foundation supports initiatives that enhance the real estate industry and benefit the communities of Alberta. The Foundation was set up in 1991 under the Alberta Real Estate Act. Since then, it has awarded over 11.6 million dollars in community and industry grants to over 380 projects across Alberta.
New website explores Alberta’s rich Real Estate history
October 2008 - The role of the real estate industry in helping shape Alberta is the focus of a new multi-media website. The Alberta Real Estate Heritage Website offers video and audio histories, databases for the province’s landmark buildings and even a selection of historic real estate ads. The website was developed by the Alberta Heritage Community Foundation, with two grants from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation. The site is the 79th multi-media site created as part of the Alberta Online Encyclopedia but real estate is the first profession to be profiled. “For many people, history is public history about major political events and milestones,” says editor-in-chief Adriana Davies. “Viewing history from the perspective of a profession and the activities it engages in is enriching.” Phase I of the project is based on the history of the industry in Edmonton, with much of the material contributed by members of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton (RAE). A new Foundation grant means Phase II can expand with content from advisory committees drawn from the province’s 10 other real estate boards. “This project offers a great opportunity to showcase the contributions of our industry to Alberta’s growth and prosperity,” says Gael MacLeod, Executive Director of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation. “We are particularly pleased that all of the real estate boards will have the chance to highlight how Alberta REALTORS® continue to play such an important role in the province’s history.” The site will also detail how the profession has grown through training, self-regulation and adoption of standards. The site is also being promoted through the Alberta Teachers’ Association with the development of an online edukit for teachers and students. Phase II should be up and running by March 2009. |
October 2008 - New Grants Approved!
The Board of Governors of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation approved 9 new grants at its recent October 2, 2008 meeting in Fort McMurray. For a full list of approved grants for 2008, click here. Highlights of the recently approved grants include:
- A $77,285 Foundation grant to the Miistakis Institute will both explore a new model for Alberta municipalities and put it to the test in Red Deer County.
- $85,000 to the Alberta Heritage Foundation to complete Phase II of the Alberta Real Estate Heritage website.
- $20,000 to the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, for the Growing Home: Housing & Homelessness in Canada conference.
Chamber Research Recommends Solutions to Calgary's Long-term Affordable Housing Needs
May 2008 - Greater certainty, emphasis on affordability, and streamlined approaches are needed in the City of Calgary’s planning, land use and development processes, according to a major research report released by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Alberta Real Estate Foundation. The report investigated Calgary’s housing affordability since 1980 and offered comparison with other Canadian cities, discussed the factors that affect housing prices, and provided recommendations to improve the affordability of Calgary’s residential real estate market. Click here for a full copy of the report. |
Grant Profile
You’ve Heard of Green Thumbs? How About a Green Roof
June 2008 - Two weeks of rain turned all of Calgary green, especially those roofs featured as part of the first Alberta Prairie Green Roof Conference. The Foundation was a major sponsor of the June gathering, keying in on its focus on environmental initiatives and education. The gathering attracted about 100 architects and landscape architects, REALTORS® and property managers, as well as engineers, horticulturalists and representatives from the building trades and Alberta municipalities. Stops included the City of Calgary’s new water centre and water treatment plants, an inner city community centre, townhouse development, a residential carport and Calgary Technologies. Green roofs have a storied history in Europe but are just beginning to catch on in North America. As the roof requires a drainage system, filters and a growing medium, most green roofs are found on new construction. The roofs offer a number of advantages, including reduced heating and cooling costs and a more effective use of storm water runoff. Having a green roof can also help a building’s aesthetic appeal and soften a dull concrete exterior. The stop at a residential carport offered the chance to see the green roof in action at a private home. The change to a green roof is a great alternative for people who don’t like to see unsightly roofs from their windows. This kind of tour offers unique opportunities for the real estate industry. And for Dave MacKillop of Calgary Technologies, broad participation is a key to spreading the word about green roofs. “The participation of REALTORS® is very important,” said MacKillop, one of the principal conference organizers. “They are the folks who put buyers and sellers together to make a deal.“This skill set is hugely important to the group (and they will) be able to provide insight as to what is of value in the market.” Architectural consultant Kerry Ross of IBI Group says as the technology evolves, it’s time to start sharing the knowledge.“The market is responding in many ways to answer the growing demand: there are more roofing companies with approved installers of green roof systems, there is a greater focus on the importance of native and adapted plant species. “There are more people in development and real estate who know about the advantages of green building and green roof designs.” REALTORS® who took part in the tour agreed. “I’m finding that a lot of my clients are already well informed about green issues,” said long-time Calgary REALTOR® Marilyn Jones. “When it comes to these kinds of roofs, I’m not sure how it will affect the residential side. It seems that it’s something for the commercial side. But I look at it as it doesn’t hurt to know new things. And it’s good to see some of the alternatives out there.” For new REALTOR® Sandy Bowhay of Edmonton, the conference and tour was a perfect chance to add to her growing knowledge base of all things environmental. “I got into real estate because I wanted to get more involved in the sustainability movement,” Bowhay said. “I want to be a resource for contacts in the sustainability industry for homeowners who wish to reduce their impact on the environment.” Bowhay added that we are “on the cusp of having green roofs become an integral part of our building design process.” The Foundation is committed to supporting ongoing green initiatives to give more Albertans the opportunity to contribute to good environmental practices and sustainable behaviour. |
Dave MacKillop (Calgary Technologies); Diane Altwasser (Alberta Real Estate Foundation), Marilyn Jones (AREA Board), Kerry Ross (IBI Group) and Bert van Duin (Westhoff Engineering) particiate on the green roof tour. |
