First of its kind Calgary project provides affordable housing for Indigenous elders

The City of Calgary and the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary hosted the opening of the Elders’ Lodge on Monday, a first of its kind project to provide affordable housing for Indigenous elders.

“The housing strategy that we approved a couple of weeks ago really talks about addressing housing in multiple ways there’s obviously the out market housing that we need to think about, but when it comes to the not for profits that are working on affordable housing, the ability to reach communities that are typically under served is significant,” Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek told CityNews.

This investment of $6 million will serve as a welcoming place for the Indigenous seniors to socially connect and access supports to improve their lives.

“The realization of this lodge showcases the power of collaboration and commitment to strength, meaningful change and to ensure our most vulnerable Indigenous relatives have a place to call home,” said Patricia Jones, president and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation.

The facility located at Highland Park in northwest Calgary is a building with 12 one-bedroom apartments built for elders to accommodate their needs. These accessible, open and bright spaced units come with one bedroom, a full bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a living and dining space.

The building is expected to produce approximately 14,000 kilowatt hour per year due to a cutting edge solar energy system.

“What you see here is most definitely the vision what we have for housing moving forward in partnership with our Indigenous communities,” said Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon.

Some neighbours and residents of the Highland Community are happy about the project and what it represents for them.

“This was originally just a lot owned by the city and the grass was about 3 feet high, so I’m glad that this is an opportunity for the Indigenous people to have a beautiful building like this to live in and it’s a wonderful place,” said Mike Cullem, a Highland Park neighbour.

The Elders Lodge is believed to be the first of its kind and is expected to serve as an example for similar projects to follow.