Calgary Dream Centre breaks ground on $17.6M affordable housing for vulnerable women

The Calgary Dream Centre broke ground Monday on Erlton House, a $17.6-million affordable housing project in south Calgary that will serve nearly 90 vulnerable women and children.

The 56-unit development at 24 28th Avenue S.W., within walking distance of the Erlton/Stampede Park CTrain station, replaces an elementary school demolished earlier this year. Rents will be more than 60 per cent below market rates. The project includes on-site daycare with spaces for residents' children and other families in the area.

Funding came from the City of Calgary ($3 million, plus the land sold at book value), the province (approximately $4.8 million), the federal government (approximately $4.8 million), and Trico Homes and the Calgary Real Estate Board Foundation ($1 million shared). First tenants are targeted for fall 2027.

Craig Hill, CEO of Calgary Dream Centre, said the nonprofit has pursued this site since becoming available roughly three years ago. "This has been in the Dream Centre's heart since the day we started, so from that perspective, it's been a long time coming," Hill said at the Monday news conference. "We want this to be an enabler for the women and the mothers who will be here to continue on their journey towards whatever is next."

The housing will not be transitional; the Dream Centre will work with residents to help them achieve the financial means to eventually afford market-rate housing. Tenant selection criteria are still being determined.

The groundbreaking comes as Calgary's housing shortage intensifies. A 2023 housing needs assessment identified 85,000 households struggling to afford shelter; current projections put that number at 110,000.