MEDIA RELEASE: The Maple is Open

The 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 18, 2018) – This morning, Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF), the RESOLVE Campaign and HomeSpace Society are celebrating the grand opening of their newest building, The Maple. This building, which features two fully accessible units, will offer 25-units of permanent supportive housing that 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. Due to the critical shortage of permanent housing with supports, the opening of this building is another step towards ending homelessness in Calgary. 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 building’s name, The Maple, was chosen by Homes by Avi to symbolize strength and endurance, and is one of a series of purpose-built apartments, constructed by a group of 11 Calgary home builders who have collectively donated $15.4 million and each committed to constructing a building for CHF through the RESOLVE Campaign. YW Calgary (YW) will provide the residents of The Maple with 24-hour access to onsite case managers and counsellors located within the building to ensure the women have the support they need, when they need it.The program recognizes women’s unique experience with homelessness and the intersectional factors that contribute to this experience. YW’s programming supports women accessing the community housing program in building connection and community. Residents at The Maple will be encouraged to strengthen positive social networks to reduce isolation and vulnerability.The Maple will be the third building YW provides programming in, with a focus on supporting women who have been identified as chronically homelessness. Soon, 25 women will have a roof over their head and a space to call home.QUOTES: Charron Ungar, CEO, Homes by Avi Group of Companies“Homes by Avi got involved in the RESOLVE Campaign from the beginning, based on a belief that there was no better way to give back to our community than provide the one thing that we do best: housing. Now that our contribution, through The Maple project, is coming to a close we stand before the success of the program as thankful contributors to a vision of participation in building our great city. It’s a proud moment and one we share with our partners, our trades and our suppliers, but most of all with our home, Calgary,” said Charron Ungar, CEO, Homes by Avi Group of Companies.Bernadette Majdell, CEO, HomeSpace Society“HomeSpace Society is proud to partner with Homes by Avi through the RESOLVE Campaign and CHF on our sixth new permanent supportive housing development," says Bernadette Majdell, CEO, HomeSpace Society. "As a non-market property developer and building manager, our strong community partnerships are critical for the work that we do in continually adding to the affordable housing stock in our city and providing homes and dignity to some of Calgary's most vulnerable residents."Alan Norris, Chairman and CEO, Brookfield Residential Properties and Chair of the RESOLVE Campaign“Thanks to the Government of Alberta and the generous contribution of Homes by Avi and other philanthropic donors to the RESOLVE Campaign, 25 women will soon have access to permanent supportive housing where they can begin to rebuild their lives,” said Alan Norris, Chairman and CEO, Brookfield Residential Properties and Chair of the RESOLVE Campaign. “We have made great strides, thanks to the generous donors to the Campaign, to ensure all Calgarians have a place to call home. Although the RESOLVE Campaign’s sunset date was March 31, 2018, the legacy of the Campaign will live on. Thank you to all those who have committed their support by making a long-term commitment to the future of our community. Our generous donors have made it possible to continue to open doors to urgently needed buildings, like The Maple.”Diana Krecsy, President and CEO of Calgary Homeless Foundation“This collaboration between government, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, HomeSpace Society, Homes by Avi, the RESOLVE Campaign, and YW Calgary is a demonstration that homelessness can end when we intentionally choose to work together” said Diana Krecsy, President and CEO of Calgary Homeless Foundation. “The Maple will provide 25 women experiencing homelessness with a place to call home and a place of belonging from which to build a better future.”Sue Tomney, CEO of YW Calgary“Women’s homelessness is complex and often hidden. Women will often couch surf or remain in abusive relationships to avoid becoming homeless,” says Sue Tomney, CEO of YW Calgary. “YW case managers will work closely with women and provide trauma-informed programs and support. Each woman will live in her own beautiful apartment suite to help her move from surviving to thriving. We are so grateful to be the agency invited to provide this important programming.”