Housing in Calgary

The need in our city is great. Calgary currently has the fastest-rising rent costs in Canada – and just 3% of our housing stock is non-market affordable housing. That’s only half the average (6%) seen in other major Canadian cities. Today, more than 84,000 households – nearly 1 in 5 Calgarians – are in need of affordable housing and 3,121 individuals are experiencing homelessness on any given night. Despite these staggering numbers, Calgary has seen a 40% reduction in homelessness since 2008. This proves that progress is possible – but we cannot afford to slow down.

HomeSpace Society

HomeSpace is a developer, owner and operator of non-market housing in Calgary, Alberta.

Since our establishment as an independent non-profit in 2016, our growth has been remarkable. We have swiftly expanded from 390 rental housing units in 20 buildings to a portfolio of 927 units across 35 properties, serving over 1300 Calgarians. In each of our properties, we partner with a social service agency that provides wrap-around support to keep our residents safely housed and connected with the resources they need to thrive. HomeSpace now collaborates with 17 local agencies to provide tenant support. These partnerships are the key to our impact, efficiency and success. We do what we do best so they can do what they do best.

Our focus is on providing not just shelter but genuine homes – safe, suitable, and affordable residences designed to nurture the well-being of some of the city’s most vulnerable individuals and families.

HomeSpace buildings typically operate at 30-51% below market rent, with the average being 49% in 2024. The more funding we secure for each project, the further we can reduce our rents below market rates. The benefits of reduced housing costs are not only for the tenants but also extend to the broader community. When an individual spends less on maintaining their housing, they have more disposable income to reinvest in our local economy and be an active member of society.

To continue working towards our vision of “a home for everyone in our community”, we are seeking support in both big and small ways:

1. Major gifts: We seek funding for our projects from all levels of Government and are always appreciative of private donors willing to help fund new developments. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected] to find out more about the funding required for our upcoming projects.
2. Anyone can donate any amount large or small via the link below. Every last dollar goes towards maintaining comfortable, dignified housing.
3. Support affordable housing initiatives in your community, celebrate diversity and inclusiveness and share this passion with your friends, family and neighbours!