New affordable housing project opens as election looms

For the second time in two months, an affordable housing development has opened in Calgary following a five-year span without a single new unit built for low-income Calgarians.

The long wait finally ended in May, when politicians cut the ribbon on a 16-unit apartment complex in Crescent Heights.

On Wednesday, 24 more homes were added to the city’s affordablehousing inventory, this time in Bridgeland.

“The Bridgeland development is a beautifully designed building in a well-established area that will provide safe and stable homes for individuals and families,” Mayor Naheed Nenshi said in a news release. “This development is one of many steps we’re taking to address the critical need for affordable housing in our community. The City of Calgary continues to work closely with the federal and provincial governments to create more safe, quality housing for Calgarians.”

The newest project is a townhouse development at 816 McDougall Road N.E. with four studio, eight one-bedroom, four two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom homes. The development, which includes three barrier-free and one visually impaired-friendly unit, was made possible by $5.25 million from the province and $2.25 million in municipal funds.

“All Albertans deserve a safe and affordable place to call home, and our government is committed to working with communities and municipalities to support this work,” said Seniors and Housing Minister Lori Sigurdson.

The building will be managed by the Calgary Housing Company, which has a wait list numbering nearly 4,000.