During the renovations, our offices will not be open to the public. If you need to submit documents you can:

• Use the drop box in the West District Office or East District Office (The South District Office drop box will be closed)
• Contact your Property Manager, Account Administrator, or Tenant Liaison
• Refer to this post with information on other ways to reach us

We are very excited about the renovations and are look forward to welcoming you back to the offices to see the renovations when we re-open!

The post We are Renovating our District Office Front Counters! appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Neighbourhoods can influence a resident’s physical activity, health and well-being. Neighbourhood features (eg. Sidewalks and access to parks) can influence people’s decisions to be physically active. There is insufficient information about how Calgary neighbourhoods influence people’s health. IN particular, little is known about how neighbourbood features might impact people with low incomes.

You are being invited to take part in this study because you are a resident with Calgary Housing Company. The University of Calgary would like to collect information about your physical activity, health and well-being. Only one adult per household is being asked to volunteer for this study. The University is recruiting at least 660 adults for this study.

All participants will receive a $5 Tim Hortons gift card, and will be entered into a draw for a $400 Visa gift card!

You are be eligible if you:

• live in a home provided by Calgary Housing Company
• are aged 18 years or older
• are able to read and write in English
• have access to the internet
• have an email address

How to get involved

To participate visit http://bit.ly/ANEWStudy, call 403-210-8830 or email: chelsea.christie1@ucalgary.ca

This questionnaire takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and can be completed on a computer or a mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc.)

Participating in the study will not affect the services you receive from the Calgary Housing Company in any way. This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB20-2008).

Participate for a $5 Tim Hortons gift card and chance to win a $400 gift card!

The post Participate in a 20-minute online survey about your neighbourhood and wellbeing! appeared first on Calgary Housing.

The Find Housing online tool is now live to help Albertans locate and apply for affordable housing. The tool guides potential applicants through the process of evaluating their eligibility, and connects them with providers and housing options for their individual situations. Visit findhousing.alberta.ca to access the tool.

About the Find Housing Online Tool

• Created with the input of current tenants, housing operators, and social service agencies, the tool will provide information previously spread across numerous sources and streamline the application process.
• The tool can also be used by family members, nonprofit organizations, and social service agencies to help others access housing information and affordable housing solutions.
• The Find Housing online tool reflects the Government of Alberta’s commitment to address the Affordable Housing Review Panel’s recommendations and transform the affordable housing system. Based on its advice, the government is working to clearly define its role, tap into community expertise, expand partnerships, reward innovation, and simplify the affordable housing system.

Why the new tool?

The Affordable Housing Review Panel’s final report identified a clear need to redefine the government’s role, tap into community expertise, expand partnerships, reward innovation and simplify the system. Alberta’s government accepted all 19 of the panel’s recommendations, including to simplify administration and make it easier for Albertans to access affordable housing.

Visit findhousing.alberta.ca to access the tool.

The post Alberta’s New Finding Housing Service appeared first on Calgary Housing.

The post Tips for preventing mold and pests  appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Vote Housing is a national non-partisan campaign to end homelessness and make housing safe and affordable in Canada

As Canada reopens and vaccination rates increase, a federal election is anticipated for the fall. In anticipation of the election, the Vote Housing campaign launched on June 17, 2021 as a national, non-partisan, grassroots advocacy campaign led by the Canadian Lived Experience Leadership Network (CLELN), the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, the Canadian Housing & Renewal Association, and the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada.

Updates from the Vote Housing Campaign

[Added Sep. 2, 2021] Vote Housing’s 2021 Federal Election Platform 

Every day in Canada, 1.7 million households live in a home that is either unaffordable, overcrowded and/or needs major repairs, while 35,000 Canadians experience homelessness on any given night.  Further, 36% of Canadians have been homeless themselves or know someone who has been homeless. Read the 2021 Federal Election Platform

[Added Aug. 20, 2021] It’s day 4 of the 36-day federal election and thousands of Vote Housing supporters are already working hard to spread the word about the campaign. Check out two quick things that you can do right now that will make a difference.

Get Visible Where You Live

Download a print-at-home window sign right now and display it in your window at your home or workplace. You can also get a weatherproof lawn/window sign and other supplies in our Supporter Kits that are available on our website. Any net proceeds from Supporter Kits go back into the campaign.

Stay Up-To-Date on Social Media

Ensure you don’t miss important updates by following Vote Housing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. After that, choose a post on Facebook and Twitter that resonates with you and share/retweet it. Even if just one more person reads it, you’ve made a difference today.

The Vote Housing Campaign is intended to harness the power of Canadians across the country to engage and mobilize to pledge to vote housing in the upcoming federal election, and ensure all political parties support making bold investments in affordable housing and ending homelessness. The campaign is supported and endorsed by coalition partners (including Calgary Housing Company!) but fueled by everyday Canadians.

The time to finally end homelessness and make housing safe and affordable is now. By completing a vote pledge, you will be added to the list of people who care about these issues, and want to engage in that they want their voice heard on Election Day.

Visit the Vote Housing Website for more information!

How can you help?

Pledge to vote housing in the federal election

Homelessness and the lack of access to safe, affordable housing on the scale we see it today has not always existed. The rise of modern mass homelessness and shortage of affordable housing in Canada began in the 1980s and is the direct result of federal withdrawal from affordable housing investment and cuts to social services. Policy and politicians helped create the homelessness and housing need we face today. And what they helped create, we will change one by one. Pledge to Vote Housing.

Volunteer for the Vote Housing Campaign

Vote Housing is looking for local organizers and volunteers to help with door knocking, phone calling and organizing, to help carry the message about the importance of ending homelessness and housing need, and encourage people to sign-up for the Vote Housing pledge. Sign up to Volunteer!

Learn more about Vote Housing

Refer to the links below for information about the Vote Housing Platform, to Pledge to Vote and how to get involved!

Vote Housing’s Platform
Vote Housing has developed 6 actionable policies that political parties should include in their platforms if they’re committed to ending homelessness and housing need in Canada.

Pledge to Vote Housing
Pledge to vote housing in the upcoming federal election and ensure all political parties support making bold investments in affordable housing and ending homelessness.

Follow and Share
Follow the campaign on social media and share it with your networks.

Sign up to Volunteer!
Vote Housing is looking for local organizers and volunteers to help with door knocking, phone calling and organizing, to help carry the message about the importance of ending homelessness and housing need.

The Vote Housing Coalition
Calgary Housing Company has endorsed the Vote Housing campaign along with 120+ diverse organizations from across the country who have contributed to or endorsed the campaign!

The post About the ‘Vote Housing’ campaign to end homelessness appeared first on Calgary Housing.

As per Environment Canada on Friday July 23, 2021, wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Poor air quality due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.

• Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.
• People with lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, can be particularly sensitive to air pollution. They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Pollution can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital visits.

Be air aware! Check your local weather forecasts and alerts so you know when to take extra care.

• If you or those in your care are exposed to wildfire smoke, consider taking extra precautions to reduce your exposure.
• Wildfire smoke is a constantly-changing mixture of particles and gasses which includes many chemicals that can harm your health.
• For more details, please consult www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-quality-health-index/wildfire-smoke.html.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Property Manager or Tenant Liaison for assistance, and keep an eye on Calgary’s Air Quality Index online (https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/abaq-002_e.html)

Who is considered at Risk?

• People with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, or lung cancer. Cardiovascular conditions include angina, previous heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, or heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat).
• Young children and seniors
• Those active outdoors
• Pregnant women

Symptoms to watch out for

People who are otherwise healthy may have the following symptoms:

• irritated eyes
• increased mucus production in the nose or throat
• coughing
• difficulty breathing especially during exercise

More serious consequences include:

• breathing difficulties, including asthma attacks
• chest pains
• heart palpitations
• heart attacks

If any of these serious consequences occur, visit an emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Precautions you can take

Be sure to keep an eye on yourself, your family and your neighbours, and take precautions to keep yourself safe throughout the day.

• Limit outdoor activity and strenuous physical activities as much as possible. If you have difficulty breathing, reduce your activities or stop altogether. Try to stay indoors as much as possible.
• At home: stay indoors with the windows closed. Turn off your furnace and air conditioner as it may draw smoke indoors. Keep indoor air cleaner by avoiding smoking or burning other materials.
• In a vehicle: keep the windows closed and set the ventilation system to recirculate.
• Care for others: Watch out for others in your care who may be more vulnerable to smoke.
• Leave the area: If you are able to, make arrangements to move to a location with cleaner air.
• Consult your physician or local health authority for additional advice.
• Those at higher risk should begin to take precautions before the smoke becomes heavy.

People with existing illnesses may have the following specific symptoms:

• People with asthma or COPD may notice an increase in cough, wheezing, shortness of breath or phlegm.
• People with heart failure may experience increased shortness of breath or swelling in the ankles and feet.
• People with heart rhythm problems may notice increased fluttering in the chest and feeling light-headed.
• People with angina or coronary artery disease may have an increase in chest or arm pain.

If any serious consequences occur, visit an emergency room or call 9-1-1.

The post Poor Air Quality in Calgary appeared first on Calgary Housing.

The following Community Partners are delivering in-person support and services safely on-site. Please refer to the dates and times for specific locations.

On-Site Partner Programming

Bow West Community Resource Centre

• Ranchlands – by appointment
  [Added June 11, 2021]

Care Connect

• Bridgeland – for assistance getting food hampers from the Interfaith Food Bank. Call 403-264-2636.

Hull Services (Patch) 

• Woodlands – Opening soon to in-person by appointment
• Dover – Opening soon to in-person by appointment
• Midnapore – Opening soon to in-person by appointment
  [Added June 11, 2021]

Soccer without Boundaries

• MacEwan – Thursday at 5:30 at the public field next door.
  [Added August 5, 2021]

Southeast Community Resource Centre

• Ogden – by appointment [Added June 11, 2021]
• Crestwood – parent child group [Added June 21, 2021]

Trellis | growwithtrellis.ca

• Deer Run – Monday 2pm-6pm and Wednesdays 10am-2pm
  For youth programs and hub inquiries call (403) 472-5568.
  [Added March 19, 2021]

Women in Need Society (WINS) | winsyyc.ca

• Temple – Tuesdays & Thursdays by appointment
• Erinwoods – Wednesdays & Fridays by appointment
  [Updated June 11, 2021]

Site Specific Activities 

Community Gardens

Reach out to your Tenant Liaison if you are interested in getting involved with the community garden at the following locations!
[Added June 11, 2021]

• Bridgeland Community Garden
• Shaganappi Community Garden
• Rosscarrock Community Garden
• Manchester Community Garden
• Baker House Community Garden
• Falconridge Community Garden

Crestwood

• Parenting programs, pre-school programs and toy lending library. Thursday and Friday mornings, in partnership with SE Calgary Community Resource Centre and Families Matter. [Added June 22, 2021]

East Village

• Walking group. Dates vary – contact Pat for more info. [Added June 22, 2021]

Louise Station

• Parent and tot walking group. Dates vary – contact Pat for more info. [Added June 22, 2021]

The post Update on partner programming at CHC Properties appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Join carya for an opportunity to build a variety of skills and habits related to increasing confidence, setting and achieving learning goals, and to connect! This summer join for 8 drop-in sessions – come to those that interest you!

Sessions are Mondays and Thursdays in August from 2-3:30pm at Village Commons (610 8th Ave SE).

• Aug 9 : Taking Care of our Relationships
• Aug 12: Taking Care of our Time
• Aug 16: Taking Care of our Minds
• Aug 19: Taking Care of our Emotions
• Aug 23: Taking Care of our Money
• Aug 26: Taking Care of our Cyber World
• Aug 30: Taking Care of our Nutrition
• Sept 2: Celebration

To register or to get more information email suzannew@caryacalgary.ca.

Snacks and childcare will be provided.

The post Join carya’s Stronger Cafe Mondays and Thursdays in August appeared first on Calgary Housing.

If an electrician or a technician is called to your unit to reset the breakers, there may be a cost to you. Learn how to reset your breaker panel in 4 easy steps. 

An electrical circuit breaker panel is the main distribution point for electrical circuits in your home. If a circuit overloads or shorts, the breaker will trip and cut power to prevent fire and possible electrocution. Resetting a breaker is simple, if you know how, and will restore power to the room or rooms affected if there isn’t an outage. Resetting your circuit breaker is safe and easy if you follow the proper steps.

Please Note, if an electrician or a technician is called to your unit and they reset the breakers, there may be a cost to you.

Most circuit breaker panels have two vertical rows of breakers. Above (or sometimes below) the rows is a large breaker called the main breaker. This breaker controls the power to all of the other breakers. If you switch off the main breaker, you turn off all the circuits in the house at once. Follow these steps to help you to reset your breaker.

1. Light Switches and appliances: Turn off light switches and unplug appliances in all rooms that have lost power.
2. Locate the Circuit Breaker: Find your circuit breaker box and open the cover.
3. Locate the Tripped Breaker: Circuit breakers are small, usually horizontal switches and may be labeled (e.g., “kitchen,” “bathroom” etc.).The tripped circuit breaker will be in the “off” position or in a middle position between “on” and “off.”
4. Reset the Breaker: Move the breaker to the full “off” position and then back to “on.” That should clear an overload and return power to the room.
   • Breaker Re-trips: If the breaker re-trips, it could be for a number of reasons: too many lamps and appliances plugged into the circuit; a damaged cord or plug; a short circuit in a receptacle, switch or fixture; or faulty wiring.
   • Troubleshooting: Identify and fix problems before finally resetting the breaker.

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT BREAKER RE-TRIPS

1. Check for a short by switching on each light. If the breaker stays on, carefully plug in each device. If the circuit breaker trips when you plug something in, you found the source of the problem. Unplug the device and reset the breaker. You can verify a suspected short by examining the power cord for melted insulation. Also, check the plug and outlet for a burnt smell or charring.
2. Check for an overload by plugging everything in and switching everything on. If the breaker trips, either switch off some power guzzlers, like the air conditioner or heaters, or plug them into an outlet on different circuit
3. If it appears the break is being tripped due to faulty wiring or another issue in your home, please call 587-390-1200 and report it to maintenance.

Please Note, if an electrician or a technician is called to your unit and they reset the breakers, there may be a cost to you.

 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Never remove the dead front cover (the flat metal panel you see when you open the door) or go poking around inside a circuit breaker panel.

HOW TO VIDEO:

(Video Source: YouTube)

The post How to Reset Your Breaker Panel in 4 Simple Steps appeared first on Calgary Housing.

The temperatures this week are expected to be over 30 degrees Celsius for 5 straight days, with the temperatures cooling to the low 30’s on the weekend. Follow these tips for staying cool, as well as signs of heat related illness you should watch for in yourself, your family, neighbours and people in the community. [Download this poster for quick tips]

Tips for staying cool

Visit a cooling station

CHC Buildings – CHC is creating cooling areas in 11 of our buildings (Ensure you follow COVID-19 protocols.) Cooling room hours are 8am to 10pm.

• Baker House – Main Floor Lobby (OPEN)
• Bridgeland 2 – 18th Floor (OPEN)
• Crestwood – Community room (OPEN)
• East Village Place – Library (OPEN)
• Hillhurst 2 – Main Floor Community Space (OPEN)
• Langin Place– Sitting Area (OPEN)
• Louise Station – Community Room (OPEN)
• Shag Tower – Apt 206 (OPEN)
• Spruce Cliff 1 – Pine Place Resource Room (OPEN)
• Villa Blanca – Community Room (OPEN)
• West End – Community Room on Main Floor (OPEN)

Cooling stations located around Calgary – The City of Calgary has created Cooling Stations around the City.

Quick Links from the City

~ Cooling station locations
~ Tips on staying cool and safe
~ What to do during extreme heat

Keep your home cool

• Close curtains and blinds during the day.
• Open windows for cooler air in the evening if it is safe to do so. Create a cross breeze.
• If you have fans, put them near a window to draw in the cooler air in the evening.
• Put a bowl or pan of ice in front of the fan. As the ice melts, it will evaporate causing cool air to drift into the room.
• Avoid using your oven or large electronics such as TVs and computers, if possible, as this will heat up your home. You can also turn off the lights.

Keep yourself cool

• Make sure to drink lots of water throughout the day.
• If your home is too hot and uncomfortable, take cool showers or baths.
• Apply ice packs or cold cloths to your wrists, neck, elbows, behind knees and ankles.
• Wear loose cotton clothes. Cotton will keep you cooler than polyester or wool.

Tips for staying safe

Heat stroke is a medical emergency

Heat stroke is a medical emergency, so call 9-1-1 immediately if you or others experience abnormal symptoms and watch for signs of serious medical conditions. Move immediately to a cool place and drink water if you experience any of these symptoms during hot weather:

• dizziness
• fainting
• nausea or vomiting
• headache
• rapid heartbeat or breathing
• dehydration

Watch out for others who may be in distress

Look out for your neighbors. If someone in your life is more vulnerable to the dangers of heat (elderly, infants, people who live alone or with health concerns), make sure you check on them regularly.

• Always call 9-1-1 if someone is in medical distress.
• Call the DOAP team at (403) 998-7388 if you see someone who looks like they don’t have somewhere to go.
• Call 2-1-1 if you or someone you know needs support in accessing social services.

Reach out for supports 

Call your Tenant Liaison or other support person, or call our customer service line at (587) 390-1200 if you need assistance.

Information and tips on staying cool and safe​​​​​​ – Information from the City of Calgary on what to do, where to find a location to cool down, the latest updates and resources.

What to do during an extreme heat emergency – Extreme heat can put your health at risk, causing illnesses like heat stroke and even death. Refer to this information from the City of Calgary.

The post Resources to support CHC residents during Extreme Heat Event appeared first on Calgary Housing.