Calgary group to build homes for the homeless

  • 2014-05-02
With 1% vacancy rates for housing in Calgary, homelessness has become something of a problem. Now, the city has partnered with the not-for-profit and private sector to do something about it.

Seven years ago, the city devised its 10-year plan to develop solutions to this issue, and one organization that has stepped forward to help is the Calgary Homeless Foundation.

The group is hoping to construct eight buildings with apartments that are both affordable and provide a supportive environment for the residents.

The first of its projects to be built is a 30-unit building called “Stepping Stone Manor”. As well as the apartments, it will have common and meeting rooms where the residents can socialize and meet with the support staff, who will be available 24 hours a day. The rents will be between $300 and $500 a month.

These projects represent a cooperative effort between CHF and the private sector. One of these firms is Cedarglen homes, which donated $1.4 million to the construction.

According to Cedarglen’s president, everyone has a responsibility to look after society, and it’s not just the job of the Government.

Firms that provide printing services can help to spread the word about this issue. Statistics have shown that it’s more affordable to provide permanent housing than it is to provide temporary fixes, such as homeless shelters.

It is hoped that construction of the new building will begin in June of this year.