Shawnee Slopes

HomeSpace owns and runs a portfolio of 892 units of housing in over 34 properties throughout Calgary and serves over 1300 residents. In each of these properties, HomeSpace partners with a social service agency that provides wrap-around support to keep residents safely housed and connected with the resources they need to thrive. HomeSpace has a strong growth mandate to build more specialized, permanent, affordable housing to address the growing crisis in our city. Please explore this website for more information.

Families with children experiencing or on the verge of experiencing homelessness.

On September 16, 2023, Calgary City Council directed Administration to dedicate two City-owned sites to develop housing to support families with children who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, as part of The City’s Housing Strategy in response to the housing crisis in Calgary.

Families must qualify based on need and income as determined by Calgary’s Coordinated Access & Assessment system. To learn more about this process, visit this link: https://www.calgaryhomeless.com/discover-learn/our-approach/system-planning/coordinated-access-assessment/

The intent for both sites is to provide homes for families with children for a temporary period of time, bridging the gap from homelessness to permanent housing. These families will be provided with wraparound on-site support to help them reach a level of stability that will allow them to gradually transition to market housing. Children go to school, parents secure stable employment and receive the care they need to address barriers to housing.

Residents pay monthly rent based on income, are required to adhere to guest management and other house rules, and voluntarily participate in activities and support provided by our partner agency.

Homelessness does not belong in anyone’s backyard – that is why it is so important we work together to end it. Ending homelessness needs community.

When The City selected these sites, it took a wide number of considerations into account. This included: the size of the parcel so that it could accommodate a development that would support families with children, as well as proximity to public transit, schools, grocery stores and other commercial amenities.

This location will ensure families are close to the resources they need.

It takes every Calgarian’s commitment to seek change and to work together to create liveable, sustainable and inclusive communities. When we provide housing with support for families experiencing homelessness, they have the resources to rebuild their lives at home within a community of support.

No. Various studies show that supportive housing does not lead to increased rates of crime. Research was conducted in Vancouver, Toronto and Denver.

City of Vancouver: http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/supportive-housing-in-your-neighbourhood.aspx & Supportive Housing Strategy for Vancouver Coastal Health’s Mental Health & Addictions Supportive Housing Framework, June 2007. City of Vancouver.

deWolff, A. (2008). We Are the Neighbours: The Impact of Supportive Housing on Community, Social, Economic and Attitude Changes. Toronto, ON: Wellesley Institute.

George Galster, Kathryn Pettit, Anna Santiago, and Peter Tatian. The Impact of Supportive Housing On Neighbourhood Crime Rates. Journal of Urban Affairs. Volume 24, Issue 3, pages 289–315, Fall 2002.

We have proposed ample parking on-site with 1 stall per unit. Plus, most of our residents do not own cars. Due to proximity to the C-train line, these developments are designed to be pedestrian-friendly, and should not impact parking in the area.

The proposed conceptual site plan indicates that the access point will be located on Shawnee Gate SW, minimizing direct impact on the congested areas identified by residents of Shawnee Rise SW and Shawnee Drive SW. As part of the Development Permit (DP) process, a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) will be conducted to evaluate the project's potential effects on traffic patterns. Although we do not anticipate 48 units increasing traffic by that much, any necessary adjustments will be made based on the assessment's findings and recommendations provided by the City to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow. Traffic management considerations, including issues such as traffic signal timing, are thoroughly reviewed during the application process, with broader public realm matters overseen by City Administration.

In tandem with these efforts, considerations for parking and housing dynamics are addressed to meet the needs of diverse groups. High-rise developments without parking typically cater to individuals seeking car-free or car-lite lifestyles, such as young professionals, seniors, or smaller households, while In contrast, the latter serves families in urgent need of stable housing. People experiencing precarious housing conditions have incredibly diverse circumstances and experiences, which includes those with access to or ownership of a vehicle. Visitor parking is thoughtfully integrated to accommodate guests, ensuring a balanced approach to access and usability. Feedback from residents will be forwarded to the City of Calgary Administration for further review and incorporation into their planning process.

No, the funds allocated to correct the slope of the site are specifically designated from the Housing Land Fund to prepare sites for affordable housing. These funds ensure that challenging sites, like this one, are made viable for development. Without the retaining wall, the site would not be suitable for housing, and the investment would not directly translate to additional units elsewhere. Instead, this expense ensures the long-term stability and safety of this project, enabling it to deliver much-needed affordable housing.

For more information on the Housing Land Fund, visit this link: https://pub-calgary.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=279598

A range of communication efforts have been undertaken to keep stakeholders informed and engaged. These began with a review and update of website content through a communications audit. The project website includes the most up-to-date information about the project, including a timeline summarizing engagement efforts and upcoming events like in-person office hours. Key interactions included meetings with the Community Association (CA), the Ward 13 Office, and local administration to discuss the project.

Online and in-person meetings have been held with CA representatives and concerned community members. Additionally, the project team attended a CA board meeting and held further in-person discussions with SECA representatives. Bi-weekly written updates have been provided to SECA to maintain ongoing communication.

Further outreach has included regular bi-weekly meetings with HomeSpace and Shawnee stakeholders to ensure alignment. To engage the broader community, emails were sent to surrounding businesses, seniors' housing facilities, and not-for-profits. Door-to-door engagement, including flyer distribution, was conducted in Shawnee Rise and Shawnee Drive to reach adjacent households.

Engagement will continue throughout the application process.

Pathways to access Fish Creek Park will not be impacted.

This site was chosen from available options based on a wide range of criteria. The City prioritized factors such as the parcel's size, ensuring it could accommodate a development suitable for families with children. Proximity to public transit, schools, grocery stores, and other commercial amenities was also carefully considered to ensure the location supports residents' daily needs. While the slope and soil conditions present challenges, the site’s suitability will be confirmed through geotechnical surveys to ensure the site can safely support the proposed development. By addressing these challenges through proper engineering and preparation, we can make the site viable for construction while maintaining the safety and integrity of the project.

The slope of the site and the medium-density development proposal will not impact the community's views. In terms of aesthetics, the project team is committed to being mindful of the design to ensure it blends well with the surrounding environment, while still prioritizing affordability. More details regarding the design will be available during the Development Permit process, which will provide additional clarity on how the project will integrate with the community while maintaining the focus on affordable housing.

HomeSpace is currently in the land use redesignation process, and construction details are not yet available. A commitment has been made to minimize any disruption to the community. Information regarding the construction schedule, potential impacts, and mitigation measures will be provided closer to the Development Permit stage. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders will ensure concerns are addressed, and construction activities are carried out as smoothly as possible, with minimal impact on the surrounding area.

Housing is needed throughout Calgary. This includes market rentals, below-market units, and dedicated affordable housing.

It is important that we welcome housing in all forms across the city to accommodate incoming and existing Calgarians. Affordable housing ensures families thrive, young people establish themselves, and seniors can age in place.

Affordable Housing refers to units that are rented at below market rate, in this case managed by HomeSpace and our agency partners to support our residents.

We take pride in the design and maintenance of our buildings. Like all property owners, we are passionate about maintenance and upkeep to retain asset value. While the residents may be lower income, our buildings are designed to blend into the community and to not only be aesthetically pleasing but to also conform to the architectural character of the neighbourhood.

Research shows that there is no negative impact on property values associated with social housing. Canadian research has been conducted on social housing sites in Vancouver, 7 social housing properties throughout British Columbia (Kelowna, Surrey, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Esquimalt and Victoria), and Toronto.

Calgary-specific research was conducted in early 2018 by Avison Young. This research looked at the prices of residential properties in close proximity to 2 current buildings that HomeSpace owns and operates with a partner agency that provides supports to our residents.

This independent research found that there was no negative impact on residential property values in proximity to these 2 permanent supported housing apartment buildings. The analysis indicated that long-term residential values for dwellings located close to the properties are no different than value changes evident much farther away.

Please use the form at the bottom of this page to submit your comments. You are also welcome to attend one of our Community Engagement info sessions to ask questions and share your comments on our proposal. We will update this page as those sessions are scheduled.

HomeSpace does not rent directly to tenants, but accepts referrals for residents from Calgary’s Coordinated Access Assessment system. See the “Get Housing” section of this website for details about how to get on a list for affordable housing.