MEDIA RELEASE: Alberta homebuilder steps up to support affordable housing
March 3, 2020 – Calgary, AB – Calgary homebuilder Jayman BUILT (Jayman) announced its renewed commitment to help end homelessness in Calgary.For each Jayman home sold in 2020, the builder will donate $1,000 to be shared between four Alberta charities, including HomeSpace Society (HomeSpace). Jayman will also host a gala later this year, and its Westman Charitable Foundation will match donations from the evening up to $1M to registered Alberta charities, as chosen by the gala guests.“With our milestone anniversary, it is important to remember where we started and how we got here by giving back to the communities we live and work in,” said Jay Westman, Chairman and CEO, Jayman BUILT. “We are aiming to raise a formidable amount to support HomeSpace and other Alberta-based charities and are confident we will reach our goal.”With nearly 3,000 Calgarians experiencing homelessness and tens of thousands more at risk, the support for affordable housing from Jayman could not be more timely.The Province unveiled its 2020 budget last week, sparking disappointment from affordable housing providers and advocates. The budget includes funding for 1,117 new units of affordable housing across Alberta. But Calgary alone is short 15,000 affordable housing units and is unable to meet the demand in the city. Additionally, $53M was cut from the maintenance budget for affordable housing, which housing providers warn could lead to the closure of at least 100 homes.Local affordable housing provider HomeSpace recognizes that important work to end homelessness must continue.“Despite, and because of, economic and political uncertainty, HomeSpace is committed to housing Calgarians and grateful to collaborate with Jayman to further our mission,” says Bernadette Majdell, CEO, HomeSpace Society. “Calgarians experiencing or at-risk of homelessness are no different than you or me — they’re moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters.”Jayman’s involvement and support in ending homelessness pre-dates its 40th anniversary initiative. Jayman was one of 11 homebuilders who stepped up with donations of up to $1.4M each towards the RESOLVE Campaign (RESOLVE). Born out of Calgary’s 10-year Plan to End Homelessness, RESOLVE brought together agencies, private donors and all three levels of government to build desperately needed affordable housing. The collaborative initiative spurred the construction of nearly 2,000 new homes across Calgary.Jayman’s RESOLVE donation went towards The Clayton in Bowness, a 30-unit affordable housing apartment building owned and operated by HomeSpace. Jayman completed construction on The Clayton in August and, along with HomeSpace and other funders, celebrated the opening of an additional 30 new homes for Calgarians in need.“HomeSpace congratulates Jayman BUILT on their 40-year milestone of building homes and strengthening communities throughout Alberta,” says Majdell. “Jayman demonstrated incredible leadership with their generous contribution to the RESOLVE Campaign, and we look forward to partnering with Jayman again to help address the affordable housing crisis in our city.”HomeSpace recently broke ground on a 51-unit affordable housing development in Calgary’s Beltline neighbourhood, marking its first independent affordable housing development since the RESOLVE campaign concluded nearly two years ago.-30-About HomeSpace SocietyHomeSpace is a charitable real estate developer, rental housing owner and property manager. We provide safe, appropriate and affordable housing for the most vulnerable Calgarians, and own a portfolio of more than 550 units of housing throughout Calgary. We partner with 16 social serving community agencies to provide supports to the more than 700 residents in our 27 buildings. We have completed construction on seven buildings in the last few years and currently have five more buildings in various stages of development. We have a strong growth mandate to continue to add affordable housing in our city. For more information, visit HomeSpace.orgAbout Jayman BUILT For 40 years, Jayman BUILT has continually redefined the way new homes are built, bought and, most importantly, lived in. Customer experience is always at the heart of this journey. Participating in community developments in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Edmonton, Leduc and Sherwood Park, Jayman BUILT is one of the largest homebuilders in Alberta. For more information, visit www.jayman.com ContactHayley GislasonCommunications AdvisorHomeSpace SocietyD: 587.320.1545 C: 403 991 5852Hayley@HomeSpace.org