`To the future residents of the James House, welcome home'
A Calgary home builder who joined forces with local agencies in the fight to end homelessness celebrated the completion of a residential building in Hillhurst/sunnyside with a “virtual” opening.
Tim Logel, CEO of Logel Homes and president and co-founder of Cardel Homes, appeared in the Oct. 21 video introduction of The James House, a new four-storey apartment building constructed by his company that will soon house more than two dozen people. In the four-minute video, Logel appeared with a cast of agency members, donors and officials involved in ending homelessness in Calgary, all speaking in support of the new housing development built through the Resolve Campaign.
The James House on 14th Street N.W. is the eighth multi-family building made possible through contributions to the Calgary Homeless Foundation with the support of the Homespace Society. Other funding was provided by the federal government through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., the Alberta government through grants and the City of Calgary through the disposition of non-market land.
Patricia Jones, president and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, said the collaboration demonstrates that homelessness can end when people intentionally choose to work together.
“This building will provide a place of belonging and a stable foundation upon which all other healing can happen. To the future residents of the James House, welcome home,” she said.
Named for Logel's late father, James, who introduced him to homebuilding as a career and inspired him to give back to the community, the James House features 27 bachelor-style units each with a kitchenette and private bathroom. The main floor suites have been designed for clients with mobility issues and have wide doorways, grab bars and curbless showers.
The attractive blue building with wood detailing also has common areas such as kitchens and lounge space where residents can build community. The building will also house offices for Mcman Youth, Family and Community Services Association of Calgary and Area, the designated service provider and building manager.
“Mcman Calgary and area is honoured to service residents of the James House and to collaborate with the Calgary Homeless Foundation and Homespace. Much like the commitment and co-ordination it took to create this space, we believe it takes a team to successfully tradition individuals out of homelessness,” said Mcman executive director Soraya Saliba.
Logel was one of the first homebuilders to raise his hand in support of the Resolve campaign.
“As homebuilders, we see every day the importance for everyone to have a place they can call home, for both safety and stability, and improved sense of community,” said Logel.
Residents are expected to move into the building in November.