Renovated Affordable Housing Project Set to Open in Northeast Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, July 16, 2019

With the help of the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), people struggling through extreme poverty and homelessness in Northeast Calgary will soon have a place to call home when a newly renovated 79-unit affordable housing building opens its doors.

The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Josephine Pon, Minister of Alberta Seniors and Housing made the announcement today.

Through NHCF, the federal government is contributing $8.78 million toward renovations at the 7-storey building that includes 33 studio, 39 one-bedroom and 7 two-bedroom units. This is the sixth affordable housing project in Calgary to receive funding under the National Housing Strategy. The Government of Alberta provided a $5.17 million capital grant.

The project is the third affordable housing building owned and operated by the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre, which provides shelter, housing, and wrap-around supports to some of Calgary’s most vulnerable residents. All of the homes will meet the affordable housing criteria set forth by NHCF guidelines.

Quotes:

"Our Government knows it's difficult, if not impossible, to build a life without a home. With our partners at the DI, we’re providing a helping hand to people and families suffering from extreme poverty and homelessness. Centre 4800 is the sixth affordable housing project in Calgary to receive funding under our National Housing Strategy, and I'm looking forward to more of these important projects in the future."
— The Honourable Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre

“The Calgary Drop-In Centre’s innovative project will provide much needed homes for Calgarians in need—from individuals without a home to families who need extra support. Our government knows affordable housing is a critical issue and we are committed to ensuring that supportive and affordable housing is available to those who need it.”
— The Honourable Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing

“The Calgary Drop-In Centre’s third affordable housing building will provide 79 units of affordable housing, with 37 of those offering wrap-around supports for people moving out of homelessness and into a home. Investing in affordable housing projects like “Centre 4800” is an investment in robust, resilient and self-sufficient communities. It is through successful partnerships such as this that we get closer to the goal of ending chronic homelessness in the city of Calgary.”
— Sandra Clarkson, Executive Director, Calgary Drop-In Centre

Quick facts:

The City of Calgary provided $151,000 through its Housing Incentive Program.
Located at 4804 Edmonton Trail NE, the project is close to transit services, shopping, schools, a hospital and recreational amenities.
The renovated building will achieve a 26% reduction in GHG emissions, relative to 2015 model building codes.
With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, Veterans and young adults.
Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

The Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society (the DI) is more than emergency shelter. Determined to end chronic homelessness at the DI, they provide essential care as well as health services, employment training, and housing supports to people who need help. The DI’s programs and services connect people to permanent housing that meets their individual needs. To learn more, visit: www.calgarydropin.ca