MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate ReleaseDecember 14, 2018MEDIA ADVISORYThe Maple, permanent supportive housing for 25 women, is now ready to open its doors to offer hope and a home for the holidaysMade possible thanks to the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, Homes by Avi, the City of Calgary and other generous donorsCalgary, Alberta (December 14, 2018) – On Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF), the RESOLVE Campaign and HomeSpace Society are opening their newest building, The Maple, which will offer 25-units of permanent supportive housing. The building will serve women who have been identified as chronically homeless, who have experienced homelessness for a year or more, or have experienced challenges that impact their ability to find and maintain stable housing. This marks the sixth new permanent supportive housing building to be completed for CHF and its housing collaborator, HomeSpace, and the eighth new building in total to be constructed through the RESOLVE Campaign.The building was made possible with joint funding through the Government of Canada (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) and the Government of Alberta, Homes by Avi’s commitment of up to $1.4 million through the RESOLVE Campaign and a contribution through the City of Calgary’s Housing Incentive Program.The Maple is one of a series of purpose-built apartments constructed by Calgary home builders who have each committed to constructing a building for CHF through the RESOLVE Campaign. YW Calgary will develop and implement a low-barrier program for the women who will soon call the building home, and provide them with 24 hour on-site resident support services.WHAT: Attendees are invited to hear about and tour the building.Brief remarks will be made by: Elder Casey Eagle Speaker Diana Krecsy, President & CEO, Calgary Homeless Foundation Bernadette Majdell, CEO, HomeSpace Society Hon. Kent Hehr, MP Calgary Centre, Government of Canada Hon. Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Government of Alberta Alan Norris, Chair, RESOLVE Campaign and Chairman and CEO, Brookfield Residential Properties Charron Ungar, CEO, Homes by Avi Group of Companies Sue Tomney, CEO, YW CalgaryWHEN: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 Media Tours and Interviews: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Formal Program: 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (45 minutes)WHERE: The Maple in Renfrew (719 5th Street NE, Calgary)INTERVIEWS:Available upon request with: Diana Krecsy, President & CEO, Calgary Homeless Foundation Bernadette Majdell, CEO, HomeSpace Society Hon. Kent Hehr, MP Calgary Centre, Government of Canada Hon. Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Government of Alberta Alan Norris, Chair, RESOLVE Campaign and Chairman and CEO, Brookfield Residential Properties Charron Ungar, CEO, Homes by Avi Group of Companies Heather Morley, Vice President of Programs and Services, YW Calgary Elaine “Diane” Gautchier, Client Action Committee MemberMEDIA INQUIRIES:Calgary Homeless FoundationMegan DonnellyCommunications SpecialistMedia Line: 403-615-7607Email: megand@calgaryhomeless.com-30-About CHFThe Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) is a registered charity that exists to end homelessness in our city. Through systems-level leadership and mobilization of collective impact, CHF is a catalyst of transformation for systems and service agencies to optimize client success. CHF focuses on four spheres of influence: Research and Data, Community Mobilization, Funder of Outcomes and Impact, and Public and Political Will. CHF addresses gaps and identifies best practices to continually enhance the homeless-serving system of care. CHF is committed to moving forward in partnership with the many homeless-serving agencies, the private sector, government partners, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians to end homelessness in Calgary. For more information, visit calgaryhomeless.comAbout Homes by AviHomes by Avi is an innovator in building award-winning new townhomes and new houses for sale since 1978. Homes by Avi continually positions itself in the most desirable Calgary communities while introducing new product lines designed for today’s families. Now with operations in three markets throughout North America, they still approach every home like it is the only one they are building. Building strong communities is as much at the heart of their business as building dream homes for customers. At Homes by Avi, their efforts to give back to the communities in which they build are unending. They are committed to a mandate of social responsibility.About HomeSpace SocietyHomeSpace is a charitable real estate developer, rental housing owner and property manager. We provide access to safe, appropriate and affordable housing for the most vulnerable Calgarians, and own a portfolio of nearly 500 units of housing throughout Calgary. We partner with 17 social serving community agencies to provide supports to the nearly 700 residents in our buildings. We have completed construction on five buildings in the last two years and currently have five more buildings in various stages of construction. We have a strong growth mandate to continue to add affordable housing stock in our city. For more information, visit HomeSpace.orgAbout the RESOLVE CampaignRESOLVE was a first-of-its-kind collaboration of nine Partner agencies, working together with a common goal — to create affordable rental housing with support services for up to 3,000 vulnerable and homeless Calgarians. The nine respected and established agencies partnered with government, business and community leaders, all resolving to make Calgary a better home – for everyone. At the conclusion of the Campaign’s active fundraising period on March 31, 2018, enough capital was raised to provide 1,850 homeless and vulnerable Calgarians with a key to an affordable rental home with the supports they need to thrive. While the Campaign itself has sunset, the Partners will continue to open doors to additional urgently needed affordable homes in our city. The tangible difference the Campaign has made in our city will be seen for years to come, as more buildings are constructed and Calgarians move from a place of homelessness and instability to the safety and security of a home. The RESOLVE Partners are: Accessible Housing; Bishop O’Byrne Housing Association; Calgary Alpha House Society; Calgary Homeless Foundation; Calgary John Howard Society; Horizon Housing Society; Silvera for Seniors; The Mustard Seed; and Trinity Place Foundation of Alberta. Visit resolvecampaign.com for more information.About YW CalgaryYW Calgary is the largest and longest serving women’s organization in Calgary. We focus on enhancing women’s safety and well-being while advocating for equity. Each year, YW Calgary supports more than 5,000 Calgary women and their families. Together with our donors, government and other social agencies, we provide crisis shelter, transitional and supported housing, counselling, parenting supports, childcare, language and employment programs that help move women from crisis to stability.Women-centred. Brighter-future focused.ywcalgary.ca