Triveri House for youth is ninth project built in effort to fight homelessness
A new 38-unit residence for vulnerable youth has opened in Forest Lawn, the ninth purpose-built building to be constructed as part of the Resolve campaign to combat homelessness.
Calbridge Homes, one of several Calgary homebuilders to step up and donate time and resources to the initiative, built the four-storey building, which has been dubbed Triveri House. The name was chosen by Calbridge founder Lou Farraro in honour of his maternal grandfather who overcame hardship after immigrating to Canada more than 60 years ago.
Financed through contributions to the Calgary Homeless Foundation care of the Resolve Campaign, the building is a collaboration between three levels of government and Homespace, an agency that owns and operates the property. The building will be used by Enviros, a social service agency that provides services and shelter to children and families, including vulnerable youth aged 18 to 24.
“For these young adults, their basic need for a safe place to sleep and call home has to be met before they can work towards the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being they need to have in order to exit homelessness and become independent,” said Enviros CEO Hazel Bergen.
Tony Lam, a project manager with Calbridge, says building Triveri House was a great opportunity to get involved with the community and to employ their skill and commitment as a home builder to do what they do every day, only for a different end user.
“We work closely with our trade partners. A lot of them have come together to ensure the same craftsmanship that goes into our single-family homes has come into this house,” he said.
“The finishes are similar, as are the construction practices. You're always going to find tile backsplashes, stone countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring and vinyl windows.”
Enviros welcomed the first residents of Triveri House on Nov. 25 and expects to be at capacity by Christmas.