Government of Canada Celebrates New Affordable Housing in Calgary

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - May 29, 2015) - With the official opening of The 1010 Centre, more affordable housing options are now available to low-income individuals in Calgary. The 12-storey apartment complex, owned by The Mustard Seed, includes 224 furnished units for single occupancy. The 1010 Centre also offers a number of support services including employment coaching, a computer lab and assigned support workers for residents.

Joan Crockatt, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), attended the event today.

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada contributed more than $3 million to the project through the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI).
• The Government of Canada also contributed more than $1 million in funding through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).
• The 1010 Centre includes 224 studio and 1-bedroom units available for individual occupancy.
• Rent ranges from $500-700/month for the studio apartments and $700-850/month for the 1-bedroom apartments.
• All residents are required to meet with an assigned Resident Support Worker on a weekly basis. These meetings are tailored to fit the needs of the residents.
• Through the RESOLVE campaign, The Mustard Seed is raising capital funds to retire the mortgage on the property.
• RESOLVE is a group of nine social service agencies that have come together along with government to address the affordable housing needs of Calgary.

Quotes:

"The 1010 Centre is an example of how our Government is working to improve the lives of Canadians through housing. These new apartments will help low-income individuals, and Calgarians who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, access affordable housing and support services that meet their needs." - MP Joan Crockatt on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

"For 30 years, The Mustard Seed has been caring for Calgarians experiencing poverty and homelessness. With the completion of The 1010 Centre, we are now able to provide 224 safe, new, affordable homes to low-income and formerly homeless residents. We are grateful to the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and the City of Calgary, as well as our many funders in the private sector, for partnering with us to accomplish this shared vision. Working together as a community, we can make sure that everyone living in Calgary has a safe place to call home." - Stephen Wile, Chief Executive Officer, The Mustard Seed

"The 1010 Centre is a great example of collaboration and generosity. That it is standing here and providing homes for 224 low-income Calgarians who were either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, should give us all hope. Amazing things can happen when we work together to solve the affordable housing crisis in Calgary. The RESOLVE Campaign, for instance, is partnering with The Mustard Seed and eight other agencies to provide thousands of affordable homes in this city. If not for prior contributions from individuals, businesses and government, the 1010 Centre would not exist." - Jay Westman, Cabinet Member, RESOLVE and Chairman, Jayman BUILT

Associated links:

• Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), invests approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour.
• The Government of Canada has also committed nearly $600 million in total funding until March 2019 to renew the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) using a Housing First approach. Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government is building on its previous efforts and partnerships to implement the evidence-based Housing First approach across Canada, which has proven to be the most effective approach in reducing homelessness. Since the launch of the HPS in April 2007, nearly 35,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefitted from education and training opportunities; over 34,000 have received help to find work; and more than 6,000 new shelter beds have been created.

Stay connected:

- Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca

- Follow ESDC on Twitter @SocDevSoc

- Follow The Mustard Seed on Twitter @mustardseedyyc

- Follow RESOLVE on Twitter @RESOLVEyyc