Budgetary space within the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services is being put to use ahead of Budget 2024, in order to provide capital improvements for seniors and affordable housing projects, including in Calgary.

Seven organizations, including Silvera for Seniors, Onward Homes Society, and ’Arche Association of Calgary, have been given $1.2 million from the province to bring 245 rental units up to date and keep them available for low and fixed-income Albertans.

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, made the announcement on Feb. 26, using the example of an Onward Homes Society building requiring a new roof as a way the funding will be used to keep—quite literally—roofs over people’s heads.

“Capital maintenance and renewal is a low-cost high-impact way that our government can keep housing available for Albertans,” he said.

He said that Monday’s funding announcement was a continuation of government capital improvement funding for housing, citing the success that the province has had in the past year in keeping 645 rental units available through improvement projects (of which the latest 245 were included).

The funding, said Minister Nixon, would be immediately available.

“I can assure housing providers that we see capital maintenance and renewal investments as a key way for affordability to help Albertans,” he said.

Funding to keep Calgarians in their homes, say recipients

Martina Jileckova, CEO of Onward Homes said that the funding for her organization would go a long way to keep people in their homes.

“Calgary has a need for affordable housing, and in particular, the type of housing that we provide, which is the subsidy housing for those who are very low incomes,” she said.

“The multifamily sector continues to be hit hard by pressures such as inflation, increasing costs, various fees, and taxes. So, this much-needed investment will really help our bottom line, and it will go a long way.”

Kyle Fawcett, Chief External Relations Officer for Silvera for Seniors, said that he believed the funding would work to keep a spectrum of housing available for renters.

“It’s important that we make sure as we’re navigating through these challenging times, and trying to deliver affordable housing for our community members—be it families or seniors—that we make sure that we’re investing in all types of housing,” Fawcett said.

“Whether it be for seniors, for families, some that require deep subsidization, and other ones that require just a little bit of help.”

The announcement followed a similar one made in November of 2023, where the government pledged to invest $16 million to re-open closed rental units and provide preventive maintenance on an additional 300.

In that announcement, Calgary projects for Silvera for Seniors, Calgary Housing Company, Trinity Place Foundation, and the Bethany Care Society received $4 million.