Calgary homebuilders lead the way

It’s fitting that companies that build thousands of new homes in Calgary every year are coming together to build several more. A growing list of Calgary homebuilders has pledged $15.4 million to build a series of apartment buildings to house vulnerable people who have nowhere to live.The major impact they’re making on our city was honoured with the Philanthropic Group award at the 2015 Generosity of Spirit Awards on Nov. 13, 2015.

Alan Norris, president and CEO of Brookfield Residential Properties, is one of the 11 Visionary homebuilders, as well as chair of the RESOLVE Campaign. “There was never any question from my fellow nominees that supporting the community is the right thing to do,” he says.

It started when Norris approached his competitors with a simple idea: Let’s all pitch in to build some homes for the homeless.

“Alan spearheaded it,” says Scott Haggins, CEO of Cedarglen Living Inc. “He said ‘we can drive this, we can make a difference and make Calgary a better place ‒ let’s do it guys.’”

So they did.

Each homebuilder is pledging a Visionary donation which together with provincial funding will build eight apartment buildings of similar design in different locations around Calgary, as well as additional projects for homeless families and singles. The buildings will be managed by the Calgary Homeless Foundation and provide a range of social supports for the tenants by a partnering organization.

The first, Stepping Stone Manor in the Beltline, constructed by Cedarglen Living as part of its gift, will provide 30 tenants self-contained bachelor units.

The name has a double meaning, says Haggins. Not only is it a stepping stone to a better life for the tenants who will live there, but it’s also a stepping stone for his own sons and the younger generation of business people in Calgary.

“When my sons, Cole and Ward, started running Cedarglen Living, we discussed that helping the community is the price to doing business,” he says. “We are hoping the idea behind Stepping Stone Manor will really mushroom and other young business leaders will do things like this and make a difference in our city.”

In the summer, StreetSide Developments: A Qualico Company will use its gift to begin work on a similar building. An existing house on the site will be demolished to make way for another assisted-living apartment complex.

“We really liked the whole concept of RESOLVE,” says Glynn Hendry, Regional Vice-president of Qualico. “It fits into our mission to give back to the community in which we make our living, and we were very impressed that nine agencies were working together to blend their expertise.”

“I don’t pretend to understand homelessness, but we do know how to build houses,” he adds. “And these projects will take a significant bite out of the homeless problem in Calgary.”

With low vacancy rates driving up rents in Calgary, the need for more affordable, supported housing has never been greater. The lack of this type of housing infrastructure is the biggest obstacle to ensuring that the city’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness is a success.