Final fundraising stretch for conversion of old Calgary office building into affordable housing
After being stripped right down to its concrete walls, the work to turn an old office building in Calgary into affordable housing is well underway.
The Sierra Place building on the corner of 7th Ave and 6th St. SW sat vacant for nearly two years, but come this time next year, the space will reopen as a family emergency shelter, childcare centre and 82 units of affordable housing.
"For us, this project is critical for our city. We can see what's happening in our downtown core and many of our vulnerable individuals and families are in and around the downtown core," said Bernadette Majdell, the CEO of HomeSpace.
"The transformation of this space will be similar to the transformation of the lives of the families we serve as they move in less than a year from now," she said.
The $30 million project is a partnership between HomeSpace, Inn from the Cold and the City of Calgary. Most of the project's cost has been covered by the city, corporate partners and private donors -- but the group needs $6.5 million to finish off construction.
The demand for emergency housing and affordable housing has increased in Calgary recently, the group says, with Inn from the Cold helping 1,611 family members last year, including 967 children.
"We see it every day in our shelter. Families coming to us for various reasons: financial crisis, personal crisis, health crisis," said Heather Morley with Inn from the Cold.
The Sierra Place building on the corner of 7th Ave and 6th St. SW sat vacant for nearly two years, but come this time next year, the space will reopen as a family emergency shelter, childcare centre and 82 units of affordable housing.
"We don't want full shelters. The last place a child should ever be is in a shelter. So, a project like this... we're standing in what will eventually be a three-bedroom apartment," she said.
The conversion also helps tackle another of Calgary's issues: a high downtown office vacancy rate that is reaching 30 per cent.
"It's part of the larger downtown strategy, which council passed just this past year. We've created a number of incentive programs to help encourage more residential construction and conversion from buildings downtown," said Bruce Irvine, the city's manager of affordable housing.
You can find out more information about the project and donate online here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.