A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
Cross-sector collaboration and local expertise are helping to address the need for more affordable housing for Indigenous seniors.
Artist’s rendering of Calgary’s first urban Indigenous seniors living facility: the Indigenous Elders Lodge, which will be owned and operated by the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary.
Once complete, the new $5.7-million Indigenous Elders Lodge in Calgary’s Highland Park community – the first urban Indigenous seniors living facility in Calgary – will provide 12 units of affordable seniors housing. The lodge will feature cultural spaces for residents to practise land-based teachings, hold ceremonies and promote healing. This project creates about 34 jobs and is set to welcome residents in February 2023.
Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal, on behalf of federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Ahmed Hussen, and Alberta Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon joined the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary to celebrate the groundbreaking.
“Supporting Indigenous-led housing projects is a key action under Alberta’s Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy. The Indigenous Elders Lodge is a great example of how collaboration and local expertise can help ensure we meet the diverse housing needs of Albertans, especially those of Indigenous seniors.”
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That’s why we’re supporting the creation of new homes for the first-ever urban Indigenous seniors living facility in Calgary. Having a home that supports land-based teachings and promotes healing is an important part of our path on reconciliation. Our National Housing Strategy is helping ensure no one is left behind.”
“This groundbreaking represents a collaborative approach and shows what can be done when governments come together with community organizations to make life better for Indigenous seniors. Everyone deserves a safe and accessible home and this lodge will provide culturally sensitive affordable housing for seniors. This is an important step in working together to achieve reconciliation.”
“I am very excited that today we are breaking ground in our community of Calgary-Klein to start construction on this amazing one-of-a-kind Elders Lodge. The space for cultural practices will help provide a sense of home and community for residents.”
“Our government is investing in affordable housing here in Calgary and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most. Senior citizens have brought so many contributions to our society that making sure that they have a safe and affordable home with culturally appropriate support services is one way to give back to them. Thanks to the tireless community-building efforts of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, these seniors will soon be able stay close to their family and friends, share important cultural knowledge between generations and live with dignity.”
“The groundbreaking for this one-of-a-kind Elders Lodge is a monumental day for Calgary and the Indigenous community. We are pleased the project is proceeding with city support that addresses both culturally appropriate affordable housing and our journey towards reconciliation.”
“Together, we have created a legacy project that could serve as a blueprint for other jurisdictions committed to honouring and caring for Elders as they age. For our community, the Elders Lodge is a sacred, safe space for connection and healing.”
“Elders have daily, spiritual and healing practices that most seniors centres do not accommodate. This lodge will give them space for those rituals and teachings, like making smudge.”
“When I was looking at the layout of the lodge, I was excited to see open areas for land-based teachings and space for ceremony and cultural activities like beadwork. Through this kind of knowledge sharing, our young people will learn our traditions and carry them on.”
In Alberta, the funding is provided through the Indigenous Housing Capital Program (IHCP), which supports Indigenous governments and communities to build affordable off-reserve, off-settlement and on-settlement housing. The program ensures a flexible, autonomous approach and encourages public and private developers to partner with Indigenous governments and organizations. IHCP applications are accepted on a continuous basis and are available at alberta.ca/ihcp. The next quarterly deadline is March 31.
Supporting community-driven projects like the Indigenous Elders Lodge is a key action under Alberta’s Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy and responds to the recommendations of the 2020 Affordable Housing Review Panel.
Federal funding for the IHCP is provided through the 10-year bilateral housing agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta, announced in spring 2019.
The Alberta Ministry of Seniors and Housing fosters the development of affordable housing and supports access to housing options for Albertans most in need. The ministry works with seniors, their families and caregivers, Albertans who require housing supports, and communities and other government partners. A more detailed description of the ministry and its programs and initiatives can be found at alberta.ca/seniors-and-housing.aspx.
Learn more about Alberta’s affordable housing programs.
As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
To find out more about NHS, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
As an organization that connects, supports and champions the urban Indigenous population in Calgary, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre is attuned to the social and economic challenges Elders experience. The centre supports the community with outreach and cultural programming that promotes empowerment, knowledge sharing, healing and reconciliation.
Learn more about the Aboriginal Friendship Centre at afccalgary.org/.
Editor's Note: This news release was also issued by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on Jan. 25.