Town of Banff

Affordability Guide

March 4, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              Download/Print PDF

Town of Banff releases second edition of Affordability Guide

Banff, AB – The Town of Banff has just released its second addition of the Affordability Guide. Aimed at anyone who wants to make their money go farther, newcomers, and families, the guide will give you a glimpse at all the ways to save while living in Banff. From resource listings to money saving tips, the guide has a little something for everyone and you can pick one up at Town Hall today.

“We’ve updated the information based on feedback on the first edition,” says Ruth Pryor, Community Development Coordinator for Family and Community Support Services at the Town. “It still provides all the great local resources and opportunities for saving money but we’ve added some new elements such as information on English as a second language and have made subtle design changes to make the piece more user friendly.”

Producing the Guide was a priority theme resulting from the Town’s Community Social Assessment. There have been long-standing concerns in the community about the affordability of Banff for residents. Prior to producing the Guide, the Town did some research uncovering that approximately 14 per cent of our residents live below the province’s low-income cut off, compared to just 12 per cent in the rest of the province. Our median income is below average too. At $29,000 per year this is slightly lower than the Alberta average of $31,400.

The timing is good too, since Banffites have not been immune to the effects of the global economy. All affordability programs in the community have seen steady increase in use over the past few years (i.e. The Banff Food Bank, Santa’s Anonymous Christmas hampers, the Back to School Backpack program, Operation Jacket Frost. Everybody Gets to Play, Everybody Gets to Ski, the Community Bus, the Low Income Roam Transit Pass, and Community Soup and Bread and BanffLIFE Pasta Night etc.).

The affordability guide is available at Town Hall, the Banff Rotary Community Hub, the Banff Library, the YWCA, the Info Centre, the bus depot, through staff orientations and a range of other business locations. You can also find it online at www.banff.ca. Copies can be provided by contacting ruth.pryor@banff.ca or 403.762.1254

or follow the link:

• Affordability Guide 

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For more information contact: Ruth Pryor Family and Community Support Services, Town of Banff 403.762.1254