City opens new Holyrood supporting housing units

The George Spady Society will operate a new supportive housing development for people who were previously homeless in Edmonton's Holyrood neighbourhood.

New supportive housing for people who would otherwise be homeless opened Thursday in Edmonton’s Holyrood neighbourhood.

When the building at 83 Street and 94 Avenue opens fully, 63 people will have a place to live.

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The city started building the affordable units, which are owned by Homeward Trust and being operated by the George Spady Society, two years ago as part of the federal rapid housing initiative.

“We all know that housing is key to everything,” Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said at the opening of the building. “Having a stable, appropriate, supportive place to call home (is something) that we all desire. Without that, we would not be able to build the kind of city that we want to build.”

All three levels of government provided funding for the project.

Tenants will hold their own leases and pay rent, and receive support for health and wellness, focusing on recovery.