Why We Exist

“Three years ago I spent three months in rehabilitation and then another eight months just waiting in hospital for a place to go. I wasn’t looking forward to a future in which I was institutionalized. Accessible Housing allowed me to escape the medical system and move on living my life. Accessible Housing deserves to receive even more assistance so that it can continue to have Calgarians address their basic need for shelter, and for a home.”                         – Stewart, a  resident at Inclusio

“Accessible Housing helps me grow as a person. They make my life better by giving me a safe place to live and for loving me. Here at Newbridge, at our home, we have our ups and downs, just like everybody else, but we are growing. We are a family. The staff at Accessible Housing care about me. ” –  Melody, a resident at the Newbridge group home

“I am grateful every night that I have my own place to come back to at the end of the day. When I was on the streets every day I would have to think about where I was going to sleep, which shelter, under which bridge. I am just so happy to have a place to call home.”                         – James, a client from the Bridge to Home program

What We Do

Accessible Housing is a Calgary charity that opens doors to homes that are accessible, affordable and safe for people with limited mobility. Accessible Housing was formed in 1974 to meet the housing needs of young people with severe physical disabilities due to spinal cord injuries. We now help a variety of people with limited mobility through a range of housing types and supports so that everyone has a home.

• Vision: Everyone has a home and belongs in community.
• Mission: We open doors for people with limited mobility to enhance dignity through accessible homes that are appropriate and affordable.

Inclusio: Our new affordable and accessible 45-unit home is now open.

Inclusio is home to 45 Calgarians with limited mobility. Inclusio is located in the community of Capitol Hill in Calgary, Alberta. It features 45 studio apartments, shared common living spaces on each floor, a dining room and meal services, as well as beautiful views over Confederation Park and patio spaces. The building is safe and modern, featuring concrete construction. Inclusio is supportive living, meaning residents have access to many types of supports for activities of daily living, such as health care aides, case management services, and recreational therapy.

The Need – Only 3.6% of Calgary’s total housing supply is affordable housing, yet the national average is 6%.

There are fewer than 433 units of housing in Calgary that are both affordable and accessible.

By 2019, an estimated 200,000 Calgarians over the age of 15 will be living with a disability. Individuals with disabilities are four times more likely to use subsidized housing and twice as likely to use homeless shelters to those without disabilities.

Our Impact

• 90% of our clients say that their lives would be more difficult without our support.
• 81% of our clients have maintained or increased their social networks & relationships.
• 76% of our clients say they’ve achieved or maintained emotional & physical well-being.
• To learn more about our impact last year, please read our 2017-18 Community Report.

How We Do It

Homes in Community with care services – provides an array of residential and personal care supports for people on a daily basis.

Housing with Intensive Support – The Bridge to Home caseworker team helps clients with everything from the basics of daily living like laundry and shopping to life skills like conflict resolution and goal setting. Our team works with their clients so that they can be hopeful, healthy, dream big and thrive in the community.

Residential Accessible Design (RAD Renos) – Unfortunately there are many Calgarians who develop a mobility issue because of a new spinal injury, a progressive disease or age-related mobility issues. These individuals are often barely able to access key areas of their homes like kitchens and bathrooms. Even getting in and out of the home can be a challenge. We help by assessing barriers and then installing and renovating the home to provide a safe and barrier-free environment. This helps people avoid being institutionalized, helping them stay in their community, with their family and support networks.

Housing Registry – Accessible Housing’s Housing Registry is a free real estate resource for renters and buyers who are searching for accessible homes.

AccessibleUniversity.com – Accessible University launched in fall 2016 and provides information and resources to help make your home more accessible. It includes helpful lists, checklists, visuals, and photos of real accessible homes in Alberta.

What You Can Do

Getting involved is easy. You can share your skills, advocate for accessibility in your community or come to our next event!

Volunteer – We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic, energetic, committed people to share their skills. We need individuals and groups. Click here for ideas on how to get involved as a volunteer.

Donate – Your donation will help open doors to homes for people with limited mobility. There are several different ways you can donate to Accessible Housing, such as monthly giving, donating your car or hosting a third-party event. Click here to learn more about options to donate and support Accessible Housing.

Advocate – Contact your Councillor, MLA or MP and urge them to do what they can to increase the number of accessible, affordable homes. Our leaders can do this by helping streamline approval processes for new housing to be built, to provide meaningful incentives for developers and to continue to make land available to be purchased, leased or donated so that not-for-profit organizations can build more housing. Click here for statistics.

Stay up-to-date with our News & Events – Read our latest News & Events on our website. You can also sign up for our regular Newsletter, click here to read past issues and subscribe.