Coaldale councillors hear about past year’s challenges and successes for Green Acres Foundation

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Roger Hohm, a citizen representative from the Green Acres Foundation, provided an update to Town of Coaldale councillors at the July 3 regular council meeting. 

In his report presentation, Hohm provided highlights, challenges and successes for the foundation over the past year, and included of some the foundation’s activities as well.  

“Green Acres like everybody else saw considerable increase in operating costs over this past year due to our annual inflation … inflation ran at about three per cent this last year and that affects our food costs, staffing costs, fuel costs and these increases have to be passed onto the residents of Green Acres,” said Hohm, noting the impact of that will be felt in Coaldale at the Sunny South Lodge, where increases are going to be anywhere from $35 to $70 dollars per month, depending on (the level of) care residents have. 

Hohm said the Green Acres Foundation was also able to increase affordable housing in the region this past year and pointed out the opening of the second phase of Abbey Road Terrace in Lethbridge. 

“It used to be an old monastery and Green Acres Foundation bought it three years ago and the first phase opened last year. The second phase opened this year and it’s SL2 – it’s basically private living for senior housing and it’s actually in a pretty cool little location we have in the middle of Lethbridge,” he added. 

Other highlights noted in Coaldale included the purchase of an e-bike for Sunny South Lodge residents with the support of local families and organizations such as a the Kinsmen Club of Coaldale and the Coaldale Community Wellness Association.  

“I’m sure many of you have seen that three-wheeled vehicle going around town with a staff member taking one of the residents for a ride. It is extremely popular with the residents we have here in Coaldale,” said Hohm. 

He also pointed out a special recognition given to the Green Acres Foundation earlier this year, in the spring, by Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon – the Minister’s Senior Service Award for the non-profit organization’s six-week program, a first of its kind in Alberta. 

“What the six-week program is, is providing a safe place for abused seniors – whether it be physical abuse, verbal abuse, financial abuse or just strictly neglect,” explained Hohm, adding the safe place is provided for three months for free until the person can get the help that they need. “We have set up in three of our residents a suite that is available for somebody who finds themselves in this situation, where we can move them into that safe environment … it’s a real success story for us in southern Alberta.” 

Hohm also touched on provincial requisitions and noted Green Acres establishment through legislation that was created to be the local housing body for the region in southern Alberta. 

“Green Acres Foundation requisitions municipalities to maintain a reserve to ensure that buildings operated by Green Acres Foundation are well maintained and meet the residents expectations and to get a reserve built up so we can continue its future growth, as in build new buildings,” he said. “Requisition dollars are not used for operating costs – they’re only allowed to be used for capital projects, such as major renovations, major maintenance items or to build new buildings.” 

The total requisition for 2025 is expected to be about $4.2 million dollars – spread out among taxpayers in Lethbridge, Coalhurst, Picture Butte, Barons, Nobleford, Lethbridge County and Coaldale. Requisitions make up about nine per cent of Green Acres total revenue, noted Hohm, pointing to some facts about the foundation, including its operation of 720 lodge suites and of that 176 are located in Coaldale and in 2023, Green Acres Foundation was the largest single employer in Coaldale.