Calgary office tower converted into affordable housing
A new affordable housing complex has been set up in downtown Calgary, the first former office tower in the core that has been repurposed in such a way.
Last June, work began on transforming the 10-storey Sierra Place – the former home of Dome Petroleum – into six floors of affordable housing as well as four floors of shelter and transitional support services.
The HomeSpace Society's building, renamed Neoma, provides 82 housing units as well as 10 shelter units.
Officials say the project makes Calgary into an example for other Canadian cities.
"Calgary has demonstrated that vacant office space can be repurposed to help address the housing crisis in Canada," said Bernadette Majdell, HomeSpace CEO, in a release. "Together, with support from all levels of government and several generous private donors, we have created a space that offers families a pathway to stability through safe housing."
The project, which cost approximately $30 million, included contributions from:
- $2 million from the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada ($1 million each);
- $16.6 million from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation through the Phase 2 Rapid Housing Initiative;
- $5.7 million in Collaborative Capital Campaign fundraising;
- $5.5 million from the City of Calgary; and
- $200,000 from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in seed funding.
All three levels of government are happy with the results of the investments.
"Every Canadian deserves a safe place to call home," said Calgary-Skyview MP George Chahal.
"This announcement is a great example of how our government’s housing funds are having a tangible impact on Calgary communities. Having access to safe and affordable homes is key to a healthy life."
Neoma is equipped with a variety of one-, two- and three-bedroom units and can house approximately 180 people.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Djokovic needs medical attention after getting knocked on the head by a water bottle at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after apparently getting knocked on the head by a water bottle after a win at the Italian Open on Friday.