Affordable Housing: Since its inception in 1975, Forward Housing Association (FHA) has been providing affordable housing to those seniors most in need throughout the city of Calgary. FHA recognizes that the need for affordable housing stretches across our community and that seniors, those who are working full-time and those on social assistance can all struggle to pay market rents. In 2014, FHA opened Columbus Place in Bridgeland and opened its doors to low-income families, seniors and others in need of affordable housing. Fostering an inter-generational community wherein low-income seniors live next to families and vulnerable individuals promotes a strong and diverse community for our tenants.
We now serve a diverse mix of tenants at Columbus Place contributing to the strength and vibrancy of our community. FHA houses three broad communities; ‘seniors’, ‘working poor’ and ‘vulnerable’ recognizing that many tenants fit into multiple categories and that there are those in need of housing may not fit any category well. The average household income is $22,510 at Columbus Place and Principal Tenants range in age from 21 to 93 and there are six families with children under the age of 18.
FHA provides affordable housing with supports and actively collaborates with community organizations to provide tenants access to an array of social, financial, physical, spiritual and emotional supports.
In Calgary there are currently 3,222 homeless individuals and 15,600 households in extreme housing need. Greater affordable housing capacity is needed to provide housing both to individuals who are currently homeless and to help those in extreme housing need.
On March 16, 2018 The Province of Alberta announced their $6M + land commitment to FHA’s new affordable housing project. With this commitment plus with funds raised through the RESOLVE Campaign FHA will construct over 100 (one, two and three bedroom) units of affordable housing in Bridgeland, creating homes for over 200 vulnerable Calgarians. Expected Completion: Spring 2021.
Forward Housing Association partners with community groups to promote social connections and access to community resources amongst our tenant.
Here at FHA we recognize that no matter which community you live in, it is our responsibility to provide excellent housing and support to those in need of those services.
Our Mission is to:
Help us lower rents:
While Columbus Place offers people below-market rent, FHA has noticed that many tenants are paying a substantial percentage of their income towards their housing. These tenants are struggling financially to cover their lodging as well as other basic needs such as groceries, medical costs and transportation and have very little, if any, money left over for additional purchases or to cover any unexpected costs.
Based on the most recent income information available Forward Housing can see that 79% of tenants are currently paying more than 30% of income towards rent, meaning that rent is considered ‘unaffordable’ for 79% of tenants. This percentage is broken down as follows: 64% of tenants are spending over 30% of their income (Core Housing Need) and 15% of tenants are paying 50% or more of their income towards rent (Extreme Housing Need). Based on these figures, it is clear that there is a real need for lower rents. Our Subsidy program was created to address this need.
Until FHA can pay off the mortgage, we are unable to reduce rents to 30% of income for all tenants, which is why we developed our subsidy program.
Support our Generating Affordable Possibilities (GAP) program:
FHA is fundraising in order to be able to subsidize the rents for those who are currently paying the highest percentage of their income towards rent. We would like to be able to subsidize all units to 30% of income. A fully funded program would cost approximately $80,000 annually. We need your help to make this possible, every little bit counts!