An infusion of funds from all three levels of government is helping create dozens of new units in Calgary, providing new homes for people to rent. The federal Rapid Housing Initiative is contributing $23 million to assist in the construction of two low-rise apartment buildings, expected to create at least 64 new units. Calgary-Skyview MP George Chahal and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, along with representatives from the builders, made the announcement in the Crescent Heights neighborhood. Gondek highlighted the importance of affordable housing as a critical investment in Calgary’s future, emphasizing the need for collaboration between government and non-profit sectors to address the housing crisis and provide security and stability for residents.
One of the projects, Hope Heights, is a four-storey apartment building in Crescent Heights that will offer 35 one-bedroom units for rent, with at least one-third designated for women and/or women and children. HomeSpace Society will provide wrap-around support services on-site for residents. Funding for this project includes $7.3 million from the federal government, nearly $873,000 from the City of Calgary, $2.1 million from the province, and a $1.3 million donation from Calgary-based builder Hopewell. Construction is expected to be completed in time for an October opening, with requests for proposals going out to social service agencies to select residents before occupancy.
Calgary-Skyview MP George Chahal emphasized the significant impact that the projects enabled by the Rapid Housing Initiative funds will have on the lives of Calgarians. He highlighted the importance of safe and affordable housing for the success and stability of the city, ensuring that everyone in the community has a secure place to call home. Another building near Westbrook Mall, being developed by Onward Homes, will provide 29 affordable rental units, primarily two-bedroom units to support women and children. This housing project, known as “Killarney,” received $8.3 million in federal funds, $1.1 million from the city, and $3.4 million from the government of Alberta, and is set to be completed by late summer.
Alberta’s Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon acknowledged the need for more affordable housing in Calgary and highlighted the importance of collaboration between all levels of government in providing safe living spaces for women and children in need. The federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities, Sean Fraser, emphasized the basic need for everyone to have a safe place to call home. The Rapid Housing Initiative, combined with contributions from various levels of government and private donors, is helping fulfill this need in Calgary, creating new rental units and offering support services to residents in need.
Overall, the partnership between government agencies, non-profit organizations, private builders, and community members is resulting in the creation of new affordable housing units in Calgary. The support provided through the Rapid Housing Initiative and additional funding from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, as well as private donors, is making a significant difference in addressing the housing crisis in the city. These projects are not only about building physical structures but also about transforming lives, offering security, and stability to individuals and families in need of safe and affordable housing. The completion of these projects will provide much-needed rental units for vulnerable populations, contributing to the overall well-being and social infrastructure of Calgary.
