HomeSpace launches 109 new homes with City of Calgary investment

Two developments totalling 109 new homes are being launched by HomeSpace Society thanks to $4.3 million in funding through the City of Calgary’s Housing Capital Initiative (HCI).  

“This funding unlocks further investment from all levels of government” says Bernadette Majdell, CEO HomeSpace. “It reduces barriers. It accelerates delivery. It ensures projects move from concept to construction without losing momentum.” 

There are over 1800 single adults facing homelessness awaiting affordable housing in Calgary. One HomeSpace project addressing that need is a 5 story vacant office building in the Downtown West End. HomeSpace will convert the building at 1000 8th Avenue SW into 64 residential units including 56 studios and 8 fully accessible 1-bedroom apartments. This conversion is supported by $3 million in HCI funds in an effort to increase housing, reduce vacant office space, and revitalize the downtown core. The building will also feature programming areas, a community kitchen, and dedicated office space for a social serving agency to support future residents.  

This announcement builds on the $4.1 million allocated to the conversion via the Downtown Non-Market Office Conversion Grant earlier this month. Read more here. 

1000 8th Ave SW - the vacant office building HomeSpace is converting to non-market housing.

The second HomeSpace projected supported by this round of HCI funding is a 45 unit townhouse development in Evergreen. The City is contributing $1.3 million in funding to build these 2 & 3-bedroom transitional townhomes at 2525 Eversyde Avenue SW. These homes will be dedicated to families experiencing housing instability– helping them stabilize in a safe and supportive environment. In addition to residential units, this development includes a 4,305 square foot resident building with office, programming and amenity space, a community garden, and 30 parking stalls.  

Rendering of transitional family townhomes at 225 Eversyde Ave SW.

This investment from the City’s Housing Capital Initiative – a key tool of the city’s 2023 Housing Strategy – totals $60 million, with $29.3 million being delivered through this round of funding. HomeSpace is one of 6 organizations awarded HCI grants including Trellis, Citizens Calgary, Liberty Housing, Norfolk Housing, and Onward Homes. The initiative will support the delivery of 1,043 new affordable homes across 15 projects across the city.  

 “We congratulate the successful round two applicants and thank all organizations that submitted proposals,” said  Reid Hendry, Chief Housing Officer. “This investment strengthens our partnerships with Calgary’s nonprofit housing sector and helps unlock additional funding from other orders of government. Together, we are increasing the supply of safe, stable and affordable homes for Calgarians. Housing is foundational to individual wellbeing and to the resilience of our city.”  

This announcement comes on a day where the temperature outside is breaking –35C, giving us a stark reminder of why safe, appropriate, affordable housing is important. The Housing Capital Initiative encourages investment from other levels of government by demonstrating that the city is backing projects that help to get Calgarians affordably housed and out of the cold.