Seven affordable housing projects coming to Calgary amid housing crisis

The City of Calgary has announced some unique new projects amid the housing crisis to find homes for those already here as well as for newcomers.

The City of Calgary announced seven non-profit affordable housing projects Monday to combat the housing crisis.

“With an estimated investment of $30.7M in this round, the Housing Capital Initiative (HCI) will support the delivery of approximately 480 non-market homes for Calgarians comprising a range of project types,” a city news release said.

The developments are spread throughout the city and include senior, family and Indigenous housing projects, among others.

The housing units range in size from studio to three bedrooms.

“City Council made a clear commitment to address Calgary’s housing crisis, and this investment is one of the many actions we’re taking to deliver on that promise,” says Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “The Housing Capital Initiative will bring real results to Calgarians who need housing now—not years from now.”

The affordable housing projects are:

• 16 units at Silvera for Seniors, 149 Livingston Hill N.E.;
• 57 units at Liberty Housing Organization, 3416 3 Ave. N.W.;
• 52 units at HomeSpace, 3505 35 St. N.E. & 3510 34 St. N.E.;
• 84 units at Attainable Homes Calgary, 1007 6 Ave. S.W.;
• 24 units at Metis Calgary Family Services, 15-19 Erin Woods Dr. S.E.;
• 199 units at Calgary Heritage Housing, 3400 Spruce Dr. S.W.; and
• 48 units at Victory Foundation, 1825 50 St. S.E.

The six-storey Attainable Homes Calgary development downtown will use 84 prefabricated modular housing units made at the ATCO Calgary facility.

“Construction happens on an assembly line and it happens extremely fast. It takes 21 days to build a complete module from first nail to installed appliances. All 84 homes will be done in 69 days. The modules will then be shipped and stacked this July,” said Jaydan Tait, Attainable Homes Calgary president and CEO.

According to Gondek, 275 people move to Calgary daily and this has created a major increase in housing demand.

Tait estimates around 3,500 people are on his company’s waitlist for affordable housing.

“We need to take action now. The need is now. The concern is now,” said Reid Hendry, Calgary’s chief housing officer.

The average detached home is selling for around $769,000, according to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB).

The average apartment is around $336,000.

“Calgary is still favouring the sellers; however, we are heading into a more balanced market. We have higher inventory, and our sales are lower than they were this time last year,” Realtor Tanya Eklund said.