Collaboration Leads to New Assisted-Living Apartment in Beltline Community

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - April 28, 2014) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Today the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) and RESOLVE Campaign will host an event to mark the start of development of an assisted-living apartment in the Beltline community called 'Stepping Stone Manor.' Thirty formerly homeless individuals will call this new apartment building 'home' starting next summer.

This is the first of eight apartment buildings to be constructed in the next four years thanks to funding from the provincial government and 12 home builders. Each building is expected to cost $4.65 million to complete for a total cost of more than $37 million for all eight projects. Alberta's Ministry of Municipal Affairs committed capital grants for 70% of the cost, for a total of $27 million for all eight buildings and about $3.25 million per building.

"The Government of Alberta is proud to support Stepping Stone Manor, and future apartment buildings that help low-income Albertans obtain affordable housing," said Greg Weadick, Acting Minister of Municipal Affairs. "This is a major affordable housing initiative that will have a huge impact on vulnerable Calgarians. We thank the Calgary Homeless Foundation, The City of Calgary and the home builders for their leadership and support of community and provincial plans to end homelessness."

Donations to pay off the remaining 30% of these eight projects were exceeded, with 12 local home builders generously committing to provide a gift of up to $1.4 million each for a total of $16.8 million. This will enable CHF to construct not only these eight projects, but additional projects for homeless families and singles.

Cedarglen Living Inc., with a gift of up to $1.4 million, will develop this first apartment building in the Beltline. The other donors for these projects are Albi Homes Ltd., Brookfield Residential, Calbridge Homes, Cardel Lifestyles, Centron Group of Companies, Homes by Avi, Hopewell Residential, Jayman Group of Companies, Morrison Homes, Qualico and Shane Homes Ltd.

"Cedarglen Living is excited to be part of developing Stepping Stone Manor," said Scott Haggins, CEO Cedarglen Living. "It will be a place that provides homeless Calgarians with the stepping stone they need to create a stronger future."

This money was raised in RESOLVE, a community-driven capital Campaign with nine partners collaborating to raise $120 million to leverage government commitments and create a variety of affordable rental housing units for Calgarians who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

"This event is a key milestone in the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. It is the first of 12 builders' projects for the Calgary Homeless Foundation as part of the RESOLVE Campaign. The first project will house 30 vulnerable Calgarians. The RESOLVE Campaign is a first of its kind fundraising collaboration between nine different agencies in the homeless sector, the private sector and the provincial government," said Alan Norris, Chair of the CHF Board and RESOLVE Campaign, as well as the President and CEO of Brookfield Residential.

Media are invited to attend the formal program on April 28, 2014 from 1 to 2 p.m. at 222 15 Ave. SW.

The house is slated for demolition but to celebrate the project the exterior is being transformed into a work of art by This is My City Art Society (TMC), with support from The Calgary Foundation. The art will feature photographs from the community attached to the house exterior. The doors will be painted by an artist and everyone can make 'welcome wishes' on CDs that will be hung from trees in the yard.

The program will include special guest speakers:

• The Honourable Greg Weadick, Acting Minister of Municipal Affairs, Govt. of AB
• The Honourable Manmeet Bhullar, Minister of Human Services, Govt. of AB
• Mr. Scott Haggins, CEO Cedarglen Living Inc.
• Mr. Alan Norris, Chair CHF Board and RESOLVE Campaign, and President & CEO Brookfield Residential
• Mr. Gerrad Oishi, Interim President and CEO, CHF

After the formal program, the event will be open to the public from 2 to 8 p.m. and include TMC artists in attendance, music, refreshments and an opportunity to view renderings of the new building.

The Calgary Homeless Foundation leads the implementation of Calgary's 10 Year Plan and is moving forward in partnership with the many homeless-serving agencies, the private sector, our government partners, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians to end homelessness in Calgary once and for all. For more information, visit calgaryhomeless.com.

RESOLVE is helping to end homelessness by raising $120 million to build sustainable, supported, affordable housing for 3,000 vulnerable Calgarians. Nine Partners are collaborating to provide a variety of urgently needed rental units, with supports, for those who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. For more information, visit http://resolvecampaign.com/.

STEPPING STONE MANOR BACKGROUNDER

Funding

The first of eight apartments buildings will begin construction in the Beltline in coming weeks thanks to the collaboration and support from the provincial government, the RESOLVE Campaign, home builders and community. Each project is expected to cost $4.65 million to complete for a total cost for all eight projects of more than $37 million. Alberta's Ministry of Municipal Affairs committed capital grants for 70% of the cost, for a total of $27 million for all eight buildings and about $3.25 million per building.

Donations to pay off the remaining 30% of these eight projects were exceeded, with 12 local home builders committing to provide a gift of up to $1.4 million each for a total of $16.8 million for CHF. This will enable the CHF to construct not only these eight projects, but additional projects for homeless families and singles.

Cedarglen Living Inc., with a gift of up to $1.4 million, will build this first apartment, called Stepping Stone Manor, in the Beltline. The other generous home builders who are donating to these projects are Albi Homes Ltd., Brookfield Residential, Calbridge Homes, Cardel Lifestyles, Centron Group of Companies, Homes by Avi, Hopewell Residential, Jayman Group of Companies, Morrison Homes, Qualico and Shane Homes Ltd.

Project Details

The CHF worked with architects IBI Architects to develop a standard building design program that can be adjusted to meet specific site and land use requirements. Each building will have 25 to 30 modest, self-contained bachelor units for tenants. Floor plans and design elements increase tenant integration and include a common room on each floor, a dining room for shared meals, meeting rooms for support services and an office for staff. Buildings will have top-of-line security and safety systems and access by tenants and guests will be monitored by on-site staff. Most residents do not own cars, but there will be adequate parking for staff and visitors.

Tenant Support

Research shows once individuals receive stable housing and support, they begin to address the issues that led to their homelessness and their use of more expensive public systems goes down. Once constructed, the CHF will partner with accredited social service providers to provide support to tenants on a 24/7 basis. Tenants will receive help accessing health services, education and budget support, reconnection with family, addiction treatment and integration into the community. Because these buildings will be paid off, rents will be geared to tenant income and range between $350 to $500 per month. A decision on the agency that will provide support services to the Beltline apartment building will be made in spring 2015 following a competitive RFP process. Funding for these support services is anticipated to come from the Government of Alberta's Ministry of Human Services.

Community Support

The Beltline community association, business revitalization zone and neighbours welcomed this project. We are developing a Good Neighbour Agreement with the community to ensure we will always be a positive part of the community.

RESOLVE CAMPAIGN BACKGROUNDER

What is RESOLVE?

RESOLVE is a campaign to raise $120 million from the private sector to build affordable rental housing, with social service supports, for 3,000 people in Calgary. Money raised through RESOLVE will be used - sometimes in concert with government grants - to construct new buildings, purchase buildings to convert to affordable rents, and to retire debt on existing affordable housing projects in order to sustain these homes into perpetuity.

RESOLVE Partners

RESOLVE is a joint fundraising campaign of nine agencies, which have been providing affordable housing and programs in Calgary for decades. This first-in-Canada collaboration is designed to share costs and best practices, as well as reduce duplication. By working collectively as opposed to individually, these agencies will have a larger impact.

All RESOLVE agencies subscribe to the Housing First approach to ensure vulnerable populations are able to retain housing for the long-term with the appropriate supports such as counselling, help with physical and mental health issues, job skills development, education, etc.

RESOLVE Partners include: Accessible Housing Society, Bishop O'Byrne Housing for Seniors Association, Calgary Alpha House Society, Calgary Homeless Foundation, Calgary John Howard Society, Horizon Housing Society, Silvera for Seniors, The Mustard Seed Foundation and Trinity Place Foundation of Alberta.

The need for affordable housing in Calgary

Calgary has the lowest vacancy rate in Canada and among the nation's fastest-growing rents. The city's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness has had considerable success, providing housing for more than 5,000 people since 2008. Housing retention is high. But there are still about 3,500 homeless people in Calgary and about 14,000 who are at risk of homelessness. If no action is taken, these problems will simply increase, as will the cost to taxpayers, social systems and to those individuals and families caught in the cycle of poverty and homelessness. The biggest bottleneck to ending homelessness in Calgary is the lack of affordable housing.

How RESOLVE will make a difference

The RESOLVE Campaign will increase the inventory of affordable housing in Calgary by 25 per cent, providing safe, affordable and stable homes for 3,000 individuals and families. It costs about $35,000 less per person per year to provide housing, with social supports, than to cycle people through expensive public systems. Studies have shown that the Housing First model in Calgary results in: 45% reduction in police interactions; 95% reduction in incarcerations; 62% reduction in hospital stays; 47% reduction in EMS use; and 33% reduction in ER visits.

Calgarians Committed to Change Cabinet

The RESOLVE Campaign is championed by some of Calgary's most distinguished business and community leaders who are volunteering their time and expertise to make RESOLVE's goal possible. They are: RESOLVE Chair Alan Norris, President and CEO, Brookfield Residential Properties; John Brussa, Partner, Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP; Trevor Daroux, Deputy Chief, Calgary Police Service; Stephanie Felesky, community leader; Charlie Fischer, community leader; Jim Gray, Chairman, Energy, Brookfield Asset Management Inc.; Bob Hamilton, retired Vice-President, RBC Wealth Management; Tim Hearn, Chairman, Hearn & Associates; Craig Hill, Partner, Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer LLP; Ken King, President and CEO, Calgary Flames; Sam Kolias, CEO, Boardwalk Rental Communities; Irene Lewis, President Emeritus, SAIT Polytechnic; Ann McCaig, Chair, Calgary Stampede Foundation; Grit McCreath, community leader; Bryan Pinney, Vice-Chair, Deloitte Canada; Bill Sembo, retired Vice-Chairman, RBC Capital Markets; Michelle Thrush, Actress; Mac Van Wielingen, Chairman and Director, ARC Financial Corp.; Chris Wallace, General Manager of Sales Hunting Energy Services (Canada) Ltd.; and Jay Westman, Chairman, Jayman MasterBUILT.

For more information contact: Amy Hurst, RESOLVE Senior Communications Manager, amy@resolvecampaign.com; Phone: 403-930-0964; Cell: 403-519-8163

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