2023/24
Report To Community
SCALING THE MOUNTAIN
Climbing to a better future: a home for every Calgarian
Vision
A home for everyone in our community.
Mission
We creatively apply our expertise to increase and manage the number of affordable and specialized housing units.
Values
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We respect every person’s right to be treated with dignity and have access to a safe, appropriate and affordable home, while acting with integrity to maintain trust from our partners and community.
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We find new and better ways of providing housing – and thereby, we fearlessly challenge the status quo.
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We collaborate to grow housing options for the community.
Message from Our CEO
HomeSpace’s vision has always been “a home for everyone in our community” and as the housing crisis in Calgary worsens, that goal can feel like fighting an uphill battle.
As Calgary grows at record pace, the impact on low-income families is immense. What was once meant to be transitional housing is constantly full, and families escaping homelessness struggle to move along the housing continuum into market accommodations they can afford – because those units simply aren’t available. There is pressure on affordable housing providers on both ends as we work to strike a balance between maintaining low rents as well as keeping up with rising maintenance costs and answering the call to build more affordable housing quickly.
I like to think that the night is darkest before dawn, and sometimes it takes a crisis to initiate meaningful change. Canadians are taking action to acknowledge and address the housing crisis across the country. Every level of government has committed to supporting affordable housing here in Calgary, and Calgarians are demanding a new strategy to housing that is fair and equitable for all. This year we opened 45 stacked townhouse units for families in Seton, expanded youth housing in Calgary’s Beltline, and are nearly finished construction on a 35 unit apartment building in Crescent Heights. This all was achieved while growing and reorganizing our operations team to accommodate our expanding portfolio, and weathering massive inflation and political change.
There’s lots to look forward to, and HomeSpace is committed to being part of the solution: we have committed to building a total of 100 new family units on 2 city sites in the next 18 months, and are looking for an appropriate site to take on an important project serving Calgarians experiencing homelessness with complex needs. I believe HomeSpace is well situated to deliver much needed housing on an expedited schedule and we are gearing up to bring relief to hundreds more Calgarians in need of a safe place to rebuild their lives. Together, we can scale this mountain – and ensure Calgary remains one of the best cities in the world to live, work, and play.
Sincerely,
Bernadette Majdell
CEO, HomeSpace
Calgary’s Housing Crisis
Once applauded as one of the most livable cities in the world, in recent years the housing crisis has put a strain on Calgarians – especially the most vulnerable.
As the city grapples with soaring housing costs and limited availability across the housing continuum, housing providers like HomeSpace are facing increased construction and maintenance costs.
This, while a growing number of Calgarians are teetering on the edge of homelessness.
Calgary is not alone in these challenges, but the numbers show a steep challenge for our city ahead.
While HomeSpace Society has made significant strides in increasing the supply of non-market housing, we know that the trek ahead will be challenging.
Only ambitious action will help Calgary tackle the housing crisis
Down one path we choose to rethink our approach to housing by embracing innovation, investing in affordable options, and embracing change.
Down the other path we fail to respond, and allow more neighbors to fall into homelessness and watch the next generation struggle to ever own a home.
Calgarians have come upon a fork in the road.
Thankfully, HomeSpace is not alone in this fight.
Last fall, 93 non-profit organizations and hundreds of compassionate Calgarians called for the City of Calgary to implement a new strategy towards housing.
It is inspiring to see an entire community work towards a more inclusive city.
Calgary’s new Home is Here Housing Strategy provides 98 action items that provide both urgent and long-term solutions to improve housing affordability and accommodate our city’s growth.
As one of the first organizations tapped to implement new housing policy, HomeSpace is turning 2 city-owned sites into lifelines for families experiencing homelessness.
Starting summer 2024, HomeSpace is constructing 100 affordable townhomes between the sites – a life-changing resource for families in need.
There is hope for the future - like what we’re building at Hope Heights.
The Alberta Government is responding to the housing crisis with the Stronger Foundations housing plan - a ten year plan to improve and expand affordable housing.
At the federal level, CMHC is providing critical funding for affordable housing projects through the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative and adding additional funding to the Housing Accelerator Fund.
Recognizing the need for essential infrastructure to support growing communities like Calgary, the Federal Government is stepping up their commitment through the new Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund.
All of these initiatives plus policy change, and private philanthropy will be required to make a dent in the crisis we’re facing.
A perfect example of this effective collaboration, we’re making quick progress on 35 units in Crescent Heights.
Nearing completion this summer, Hope Heights was made possible through investments from the Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta, the City of Calgary, as well as our trusted builder partners at Hopewell Residential.
These 35 affordable apartment units will mean the difference between a woman and child sleeping in their car or a tent or a shelter or having a safe, beautiful, central, affordable place to call home.
For us at HomeSpace – that’s what hope looks like.
2023/24 New Developments
Norris House
Opened October 2023
This a 45-unit stacked townhome development in Seton was completed by HomeSpace in collaboration with Brookfield Residential in October 2023. Funded by the Government of Canada, City of Calgary, and, and Alan Norris through the former RESOLVE fundraising campaign. Resident referrals, income testing, and social supports are provided by our partner Closer to Home.
Hope Heights
Opening October 2024
HomeSpace is building a 4-floor, 35-unit, residential apartment building for Calgarians in Severe Housing Need in Crescent Heights. We are partnering with builders Hopewell Residential who have generously donated $1.4M in building costs towards the project.
The Crescent Heights project is designed to accommodate women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous Peoples, or people with disabilities. These will be 1 bedroom units and over 30% of those units will be fully accessible. Residents will benefit from 23-32% below market rents for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH).
HomeSpace always partners with a social serving agency to provide supports for our residents including income testing, referrals, social supports, and community building. We will work with the Calgary Homeless Foundation to select that agency as we approach end of construction.
Family Lease Sites
HomeSpace is excited to announce that we have been awarded two City of Calgary Family Lease Sites, one at 3510 34 Street NE and another at 14320 6th Street SW. As part of the City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy, these sites are intended for affordable family housing to alleviate the pressure of the housing crisis on low-income families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
In the communities of Horizon/Whitehorn and Shawnee Slopes, in close proximity to the C-Train line, we plan to construct 52 units of 2-storey, 3-bedroom townhouses on each site. These homes will provide much-needed affordable housing as well as amenity space, playgrounds, ample parking, and supportive programming ensuring a nurturing environment for families to thrive.
Our goal is to alleviate housing pressure and offer families with children a stable foundation to build their futures. We are committed to working closely with these communities to ensure that our homes and residents seamlessly blend into the fabric of the neighborhoods, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
Breaking Ground August 2024
Our Residents
A snapshot of our residents
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This information is representative of residents in HomeSpace buildings with programs funded by the Calgary Homeless Foundation, it does not represent the entirety of HomeSpace residents
All data is between April 1 2022 – March 31 2023
All gender, ethnicity, income and health data are self-reported by the participant.
Receiving Income Supports is based on the participant identifying they receive income from at least one of Alberta Works or AISH.
Health data is based upon answers to the following questions: Do you have an ongoing mental health condition? Do you have an ongoing physical health condition? Do you have an addictions/substance abuse issue?
“HomeSpace has been a godsend to me at one of the worst times of my life, I can not imagine what would have become of be if my home had not been available to me at my worst. Problems with other neighbours have occurred but were dealt with. This could have occurred at any apartment complex, without as much support it could have been worse.”
— HomeSpace Resident
Dave’s Story
My name is Dave. I’m 68 years old and my home with HomeSpace is my first permanent home since childhood. I grew up in a household with drinking and fighting but overall had a normal childhood. My dad was in the Navy so as the eldest of six I often helped my mom a lot and took care of my younger siblings. The best year of my life was 1971, I was doing well in school, I had a job and I was happy.
I grew up around alcohol (Santa always smelled like rum) but I didn’t think much of it at the time. At 17 I joined the army, did 8 years and came out of the army struggling with alcoholism. I had many different jobs and lived all across the US and Canada travelling by greyhound for decades. I would work, stay sober, relapse, lose my job, and go to a different city.
My main challenge was to stop drinking, to stop the wanderlust, and to stop thinking that it is better somewhere else. I always dreamed of having my own place, but never knew how to do it. I never knew how to settle down.
When I found HomeSpace, I stopped drinking. I’ve made friends, I have a routine in my life. No more chaos. I’ve got peace, quiet, and a place to rest. For the first time, I feel secure with a nice place to sleep that I can call my own. I have privacy, never had that before, never. The other tenants are quiet, nice, and respectful. It’s nice to have people who care and who will help me when needed, I’ve never had that before. I’m so grateful to the staff and support for working to help people like me. I may not understand why, but I sure am grateful. At night time my building is so quiet and peaceful, I just sit and enjoy the tranquillity. Sometimes, I don’t even want to sleep because it is so nice, I don’t want to miss it.
Now that I’m 68, my only goal is to be a good person, and enjoy the peace away from the chaos of my past life, and HomeSpace helps me do that.
John
After becoming a single parent, John struggled to adjust to a single income household but remained determined to provide a loving and stable home for his two young girls. With the rising cost of living, John had exhausted his finances and suddenly found himself in a dire situation unable to afford his home.
John has been able to find hope and stability in the embrace of HomeSpace affordable housing to carry him and his family through this challenging time. To this day, his two young daughters have expressed to our staff how happy they are that their dad has a safe place to live for when they are with him. His daughters are especially fond of the art programs available to them and have taken a liking for a painting of a family of bears painted by one of our staff. To them, it is a reminder that even when they are not together, they can always look over each other.
Linda
When Linda immigrated to Canada by herself, she was eager to learn new skills, learn English and begin a new chapter for herself. As she adjusted to her new surroundings, she struggled to secure safe housing that she could afford and eventually found herself experiencing homelessness. Linda, who has struggled with mental health throughout her childhood and adult years, faced the ongoing dilemma of paying for rent or getting the support she needed.
Linda recently completed an adult supportive housing program, a milestone that marks her transition to independent living. To this day, Linda is overwhelmed with gratitude that supports like Homespace and our partner agencies exist, which not only provided her with a secure and affordable home but also served as a nurturing community. Through this program, Linda not only tended to her mental well-being but also fostered connections, practicing English with supportive staff, and learning skills that has rebuilt her confidence to continue her solo journey in a new country.
Affordable housing should be high quality, friendly, and well maintained.
We are committed to continuously improving our affordable housing offerings and experience because we know safe affordable housing is essential to health, education, and employment outcomes for our residents. Our vision is to build community within our buildings with the help of our supportive partners we are creating not just housing – but homes for Calgarians in need.
Our Staff
At HomeSpace, our team is the foundation of our success. Every day, our dedicated staff transform challenges into opportunities, demonstrating innovation with speed, passion, and dignity. Being part of HomeSpace means scaling the mountain of affordable housing, making a profound impact in your community. As our portfolio expands, so does our team. From developing new buildings to maintaining existing ones, from assisting residents in settling in to balancing our books, our growing team works tirelessly to make Calgary a more equitable place to live. Join us in our journey to the summit, where every effort brings us closer to a better future for all.
Our Agency Partners
HomeSpace has a unique model for affordable housing. In each of our buildings we partner with a social serving agency who provides the supports our residents need to thrive. This way we get to focus on what we do best: building, maintaining, and managing more properties to house Calgarians in need.
Number of Units per Partner Agency
In the News
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2 City of Calgary-owned sites to be turned into transitional housing
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New facility to offer affordable housing to 46 at-risk Calgary youth
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Canada Announces Rapid Housing Initiative 3
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HomeSpace CEO says finding right land for new housing facility is key
Financial Summary
Here is a quick snapshot of our income breakdown, rent levels, and the distribution of our various types of affordable housing.
Income Breakdown
2023/24 Rent Levels
Number of Units per Unit Type
Number of Units per Agency Type
Giving Makes an Impact
Building, maintaining, and managing our many projects wouldn’t be possible without generous financial support. 12 years ago, Calgarian builders joined forces to kickstart one of the biggest, most impactful collaborative capital campaign for affordable housing. The Calgary’s Collaborative Capital Campaign for Affordable Housing (formerly known as RESOLVE) was a first-of-its-kind collaborative fundraising campaign, raising $74 million and proving nearly 2000 Calgarians with a safe and affordable place to call home. We extend our deepest thanks to all who believed in this vision and helped make it a reality.
Now, as Hope Heights nears completion - the last of the 21 builds from this campaign, we see the tangible results of our collective effort: stable, welcoming homes where hope can flourish. This milestone is not just the end of a campaign but the beginning of a brighter future for many. It is awe-inspiring to see what can be accomplished when a community comes together to work towards a common goal. Its success means there is an opportunity to continue this collaboration and support people we may never meet but who deserve our community care.
Special thanks to our monthly donors for their continuous generosity. Housing at top of mind for so many Canadians, and low-income families feel the crisis the most. Every investment into affordable housing will benefit vulnerable families for years to come. Thank you so much for your support.
Government of Canada, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp.
City of Calgary
Government of Alberta
Alberta Real Estate Association
The Anderson Family Charitable Foundation
Anonymous Donors
ATCO
BMO Bank of Montreal
Calgary Foundation
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Clearwater Foundation
CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation
Our Major Donors
David Bissett
Enbridge Inc.
EON Foundation
Genevieve Groulx
Gibson Energy
Home Depot Canada Foundation
J.N. Fyvie Family Fund at the Calgary Foundation
Jenny Belzberg
John Brusset
Kiewit Corporation
The Kinsmen Club of the Stampede City
Max and Denise Chan and Family
McCarthy Tetrault Foundation
Plains Midstream
Poelzer Family Foundation Fund
Rogers Communications
The Ruparell Family
Shaw Communications
Vermilion Energy
W. Brett Wilson
Kairos
Picture Perfect Cleaning
CANA Management Ltd
Rotary Club Heritage Park
Lowes Canada
D. R. Ashford
A Letter from Board Chair Lourdes Juan
It’s been an extraordinary year of accomplishments, challenges, and triumphs. Through it all, the dedication of the leadership, team, board and supporters has been nothing short of inspiring. Our collective efforts have not only sustained HomeSpace but have propelled the organization forward, allowing the team to achieve remarkable milestones and make meaningful impact in our community.
I want to acknowledge the individuals and families whose lives have been positively transformed through the provision of safe and stable housing. Their stories remind us of the importance of our mission. Every effort from HomeSpace brings us closer to a Calgary that is housing secure.
There is much work to be done and I am grateful that supporters are committed to seeing growth of the organization. I am immensely proud to serve as the Board Chair and to be part of a team so dedicated to delivering a home for everyone in our community. Thank you to both long-standing and new Board Members who decide to take their time, talent, and energy and spend it with HomeSpace.
-Lourdes Juan,
Chair, HomeSpace Board of Directors