“My education is more than a pathway to employment. It is the foundation of a lifelong commitment to caring for others and building a future filled with purpose, service, and stability,” said Naila, a nursing student and Calgary Housing resident.

This statement not only sums up her commitment to furthering her studies, but also her vision for the future.

Naila is one of the winners of Calgary Housing’s inaugural Stability for Success Educational Scholarship. The $2500 scholarship aims to support Calgary Housing residents on their journeys through post-secondary education.

Naila is currently enrolled in the Licensed Practical Nurse program at Bow Valley College. But she doesn’t want to stop there. Ultimately, Naila would like to work as a surgeon and it is her dream to direct a hospital, supporting those who cannot afford healthcare.

Originally from Jalalabad, Afghanistan, and having grown up in Peshawar, Pakistan, Naila understands the value of hard work. She and her family came to Canada in 2015 when Naila was entering grade 8. She had to adjust to a new life and a whole new language. Her family has lived in Calgary Housing for five years. Her father lives with a disability and is unable to work, while her mother dedicates her life to raising her three children.

Dealing with limited financial resources has shaped Naila’s life and future.

“I want to build a future where I can provide support to my family and contribute positively to my community. My father’s disability has taught me the value of resilience, patience, and compassion – qualities that continue to shape the person and future nurse I am becoming,” she says.

There was also a significant event in her life that sparked her interest in the medical field.

When Naila was 15, someone had a seizure in front of her. She was scared and nervous and didn’t know what to do. She wants to be able to have the knowledge and experience to support and assist.

“The opportunity to help people heal, improve their quality of life, and make a positive difference during their most vulnerable moments is what inspires me every day.”

You can read about all the 2026 Stability for Success Scholarship recipients.

The post From bystander to nurse to surgeon – Calgary Housing Scholarship supports one resident’s dream in the medical field appeared first on Calgary Housing.

CALGARY, AB — Calgary Housing is bringing new life to Bridgeland Place Tower.

When completed, the highrise tower in the historic Bridgeland/Riverside neighbourhood will include 203 homes with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedrooms. Bridgeland Place will operate under Calgary Housing’s mixed-income model. This means families of all sizes and a wide range of incomes will live in the completely renovated tower at 736 McDougall Court N.E.

“Bridgeland Place has been home to countless Calgarians in its 52 years of operations, and we’re proud to get the work underway to extend the life of the structure for decades more,” Bo Jiang, Calgary Housing interim President and CEO said. “I’m excited to see the new life this work will bring to the building and the neighbourhood.”

Originally constructed in 1971, Bridgeland Place was decommissioned in 2023 due to significant concerns over aging systems like heating and water. One year later, Calgary Housing was brought on by The City of Calgary to lead redevelopment of the 17-storey building, with a nine-month interior demolition and abatement being the first step. Design and permitting processes followed, which included rearranging floorplans to include more family-friendly homes and refurbishment of amenities.

“Redevelopment of Bridgeland Place is a fiscally responsible way to improve the existing housing stock we have as a city, while also minimizing impacts on the surrounding community. I’m glad to have Calgary Housing at the helm of this redevelopment,” Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said.

Redevelopment of Bridgeland Place will involve rehabilitating the exterior envelope – including replacing windows and siding – to make it more energy efficient. Crews will then focus on a thorough retrofit of the interior, which has been taken down to the cast concrete structure. Exterior work includes landscaping and family-friendly, safety-oriented environmental design.

“Alberta’s government is proud to invest in the renewal of Bridgeland Place, helping ensure more than 500 Calgarians have a safe and affordable place to call home. Strategic investments like this are a smart use of existing infrastructure, stretching taxpayer dollars further and delivering more homes for Albertans,” said Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Nathan Neudorf.

The retrofit focuses on improving efficiency, reducing emissions and utility costs, improving indoor air quality, and extending the lifespan of the building at a cost less than that of a similar new build.

“Calgary Housing’s Bridgeland Place retrofit is one of many projects we’re proud to support in Calgary. Maintaining existing housing stock is crucial to extend the life of affordable and community housing. We’ll continue our work alongside our partners at all levels of government to continue to make homes like these a reality for Calgarians,” said Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.

After an anticipated completion in 2028, more than 500 Calgarians will call Bridgeland Place home once again.

“Bridgeland is a wonderful place for Calgarians to call home, and the new residents at the renovated Bridgeland Place will find it to be a walkable and vibrant neighbourhood that supports a rich community life,” said Ward 9 Councillor Harrison Clark. “I look forward to welcoming you all!”

Under Calgary Housing’s mixed-income model, rents at the renovated Bridgeland Place will fit the incomes of the households, and the rents range from near-market to deeply affordable in a mix that meets the operating funding needs of entire building. That mix means government funding is not required for ongoing operations, only for the construction.

Bridgeland Place Tower artist renderings: (click to view)

Bridgeland Place Funding:

Note: 100 per cent of City of Calgary debt for Bridgeland Place will be repaid via rental revenues.

Bridgeland Place Timeline:

1971: Bridgeland Place opens

Q1 2021: Decision to decommission Bridgeland Place made by City of Calgary; Calgary Housing to work with individual residents to relocate them to other CH properties

2023: Bridgeland Place fully decommissioned, site secured against unlawful entry

August 2024: Interior demolition and abatement of Bridgeland Place begins

Sept. 26, 2024: Calgary Housing signs development management agreement with City of Calgary, to redevelop Bridgeland Place

May 2025: Interior demolition and abatement work is completed; design work begins

Dec. 22, 2025: Calgary Housing submits development permit application, increasing number of homes to 203 total in a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom homes. Proposed work also includes refurbishment of amenities, upgrading the exterior envelope to be more energy efficient.

July 2026: Calgary Housing submits building permit, releases updated renderings of the exterior.

Week of Aug. 17, 2026: Demolishing and redevelopment of exterior begins, with interior redevelopment work to follow.

2028: Expected completion of interior and exterior redevelopment, and resident move-ins

The post Calgary Housing starts work to breathe new life into Bridgeland Place appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Seeing a beloved family member suffer with chronic illness has inspired Zaima to do something about it. And she has a plan on how to alleviate the suffering of more than just her mother.

Zaima is one of the winners of Calgary Housing’s inaugural Stability for Success Educational Scholarship. It’s a $2500 scholarship that aims to support Calgary Housing residents on their journeys through post-secondary education.

Currently registered for Archaeology at the University of Calgary, Zaima plans to transfer to engineering with a focus on its biomedical application.

“[This] is the deliberate first step towards becoming a research oriented biomedical engineer. It is not just a collection of courses. It is a structured foundation that bridges the physical sciences with clinical problem solving, and that distinction matters to me,” she says.

Zaima’s interest in this area of study is rooted in watching her mother deal with a chronic illness. She has supported her mother with daily care, including managing her medications, and accompanying her to appointments when necessary. She has done all this while studying full-time and working part-time in the food industry to pay for her education.

This experience has fueled her desire to go further than an undergraduate degree. She wants to progress to get a master’s degree in biomedical science.

And she isn’t stopping there.

“Within five years, my goal is to lead a small research initiative from conceptual design through proof of concept. Not just executing someone else’s protocol, but designing and defending one of my own,” she states.

Her interest lies in helping those with diseases and disabilities.

Zaima’s family is from Pakistan and has lived in Calgary Housing for 5 years. The scholarship will help relieve the financial pressure and allow her to focus more on her studies.

“This scholarship represents not just money, but the freedom to pursue my potential without being held back by circumstances beyond my control,” she says.

It’s even more than that. Zaima feels like this is the confidence boost that she needs to keep going. Aim high. Keep pushing.

“I am determined to succeed, and with this help I can turn that determination into lasting achievement.”

You can read about all the 2026 Stability for Success Scholarship recipients.

The post Calgary Housing scholarship to help budding biomedical engineer appeared first on Calgary Housing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Calgary, AB – Calgary Housing (CH) announced the recipients of its inaugural post-secondary education scholarship.

The Stability for Success Educational Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to Calgary Housing residents who want to start or continue their studies at an accredited post-secondary institution.

The scholarship is unique, as the criteria isn’t based on academic performance in high school. The bursary aims to support residents no matter where they are on their educational journeys. There were also low barriers to apply, so that CH residents could easily apply: CH didn’t require a long essay, and residents just had to submit proof of registration to an accredited post-secondary institution.

“CH believes that access to safe, affordable housing is the foundation. When people have housing, the other pieces of their lives can start to come together, whether that’s employment, education, community, or stability,” said Bo Jiang, Interim President & CEO, Calgary Housing.

CH is committed to investing in our residents to ensure the housing stability they access through us can serve as a foundation to define success for themselves and create their own pathways to transform their lives.

CH received over 60 applications for the scholarship and a selection committee evaluated all the applications. CH awarded five scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each.

Coincidentally, the winners all have something in common: their educational pursuits are all in public service. Scholarship winners are studying social work, nursing, teaching, medical research, and emergency services. They are all passionate about helping others and giving back to their communities.

Read more about the recipients here.

The post Calgary Housing announces 5 recipients of the Stability for Success Educational Scholarship appeared first on Calgary Housing.

Qutaiba is an ambitious teenager, but like many in his shoes, he didn’t have the money to do or buy what he wanted to.

He wanted to start earning money for himself so that he didn’t have to burden his parents and ask them for spending money.

“I really thought like I could do it myself. I could become responsible and I could really earn the money that I need so I could stop asking my parents for it,” he explains.

Qutaiba also wanted to know what it would feel like to earn his own money and to work towards a goal.

He started off by selling snacks at school. But he wanted to do something bigger, something with a wider reach, so he could bring in more revenue.

Qutaiba started mowing lawns for neighbours in his Calgary Housing community, where he and his family have lived for 8 years.

A year ago, Qutaiba and a friend came up with the idea of starting an auto detailing service. The partnership didn’t work out, but Qutaiba kept on trying on his own. His mom invested in him and paid for his first pressure washer. He purchased all his subsequent equipment like brushes, cloths and cleaning solutions. He’s had a few customers, and he’s hopeful that his business can grow.

“It’s improving so far. And I think I could improve it in the future and really give it that boost that it means more customers and eventually grow my business,” he says.

Qutaiba is the first entrepreneur in the family, despite being the youngest with two older siblings. His father isn’t currently employed, but his mother and sister both work as daycare workers.

He chose auto detailing because he thought it would be sustainable and provide him with cash flow. He’s excited to put his energy into it and wants to make his customers happy.

“I’m pleased, they’re pleased, you know?” he says.

This is just the beginning for the enterprising young man. Qutaiba is focused on his studies and dreams of either becoming a police officer or a business owner.

“I just want to prove to people that you can do what you believe you can do. There’s nothing impossible.”

You can learn more about Qutaiba’s auto detailing company through his website.

The post Inside Calgary Housing: Resident has a fiery entrepreneurial spirit appeared first on Calgary Housing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Calgary, AB – Calgary Housing (CH) announced the grand opening of its first non-market housing development acting as The City of Calgary’s development manager. Located in Calgary’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, the 16-home mixed-income development will provide high-quality housing for 45 residents.

This landmark development comes a little over one year after construction began in April 2025.

“I’m excited that we were able to move so quickly after breaking ground on this 16-home development just over a year ago,” said Bo Jiang, Interim President & CEO, Calgary Housing.  “Today, 45 Calgarians can access stable housing and live in this wonderful neighbourhood. Under Calgary Housing’s mixed-income model, these homes will remain affordable for decades. Thank you to all orders of government, our development contractors, and CH staff for making this happen.”

Located near a small playground, an off-leash dog park, schools and commercial corridors on 16 Avenue N.W. and Centre Street N.W., these homes encourage community living and a balanced lifestyle in this city centre neighbourhood.

These homes feature sustainable design elements and high-quality materials that require less maintenance and save 24 per cent more energy than minimum building codes. Solar panels help offset energy bills while cold-climate air-source heat pumps with back-up natural gas furnaces heat and cool the homes.

“Mount Pleasant has a long, storied history in our city, and Calgary Housing’s development is a wonderful addition to the community. This project will help to provide much-needed affordable housing in our City while adding density in a thoughtful way to an existing community. I’m excited for the 16 households who will find a new home right beside a dog park, in a neighbourhood that supports a fulsome family life,” said Ward 7 Councillor Myke Atkinson.

The Mount Pleasant housing development will use Calgary Housing’s perpetually affordable mixed-income model, which offers a wide range of rents set below market rates that help fund more deeply affordable housing and cover maintenance costs, reducing or eliminating the need for operating funding from governments.

“Albertans deserve housing choices that meet their needs, and the Mount Pleasant development is a great example of what affordable housing can look like. Our government is proud to support Calgary Housing’s innovative approach to creating high-quality homes that blend seamlessly into the surrounding community” said Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Nathan Neudorf.

This approach strengthens financial viability and operation sustainability while fostering inclusive communities where residents of varying financial means can live side-by-side. It also provides more stability for households by supporting them as their situation changes.

“Calgary Housing’s development in Mount Pleasant is one of many projects we’re proud to support in Calgary, delivering on our commitment to increase the supply of affordable, non-market and community housing. We’ll continue our work alongside our partners at all levels of government to make homes like these a reality for Calgarians,” said Corey Hogan, Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.

This collaborative project demonstrates the shared commitment to expanding affordable housing in Calgary and was made possible by the support from the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary. Calgary Housing’s $7.9 million construction budget includes $3.5 million in contributions from the Government of Alberta, of which $1.5 million was allocated via the Affordable Housing Partnership Program, a joint funding program from the province and the Government of Canada.

Mount Pleasant Construction Cost Breakdown:

Read more about the Mount Pleasant development here.

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Jean-Claude Munyezamu is a Rwandan Canadian who founded Umoja in 2010. Munyezamu came to Calgary in his early 20s after volunteering in refugee camps in Somalia and Sudan. He lived in Calgary Housing in Glenbrook and one morning he grabbed a soccer ball and started knocking on neighbours’ doors to get a soccer game started in the nearby green space.

That soccer seed then grew. Munyezamu started organizing soccer in the community and coaching some of the older kids who came out to play. From that small start, a single soccer ball and a green space, Munyezamu’s efforts evolved to become Umoja, an organization that runs programs that nurture leadership, learning, and belonging. These programs include soccer programs, Girls’ Leadership, Women’s Community Sewing, afterschool programs, and a food program.

Most of those programs are operated either on or close to Calgary Housing communities.

“When we work with [residents of] Calgary Housing, we meet them where they’re at,” says Megan Kimler, Youth Development and Volunteer Lead at Umoja.

They achieve this by running a culturally sensitive food program that delivers culturally-appropriate foods and staples that are otherwise not accessible to many families. The program offers doorstep delivery, so families can receive their food in a dignified manner.

“The program offers a lot of different flours and food that [families] might not be able to access from a food bank,” Kimler explains. We have dried lentils, pounded yam, cassava flour, things like that that.”

Drop-in soccer at the Marlborough community centre is one of Umoja’s most popular programs.

“We can get up to 100 kids coming to drop in every session. There’s a large number of families that live just across the street with kids, so it’s a great place for them to be because it’s so close,” Kimler says.

Youth indoor drop-in soccer at the Genesis Centre is also one of Umoja’s most highly attended programs.

“Our coaches are great at managing [the program]. A lot of the kids know our coaches and respect them,” Kimler explains.

Because the soccer programs are drop-in opportunities and summer camps, Umoja ensures that youth feel included and comfortable by removing barriers to participation.

Kimler leads the girls’ leadership program in the Calgary Housing community in Edgemont. The program empowers girls through mentorship, skills-building activities, and community engagement. The program is also expanding to Calgary Housing’s Temple location.

“There [is] a lot of richness and a lot of learning. They [are] having fun. They [haven’t] even realized they [are] learning all these new skills,” Kimler says about the leadership program activities.

Calgary Housing resident Reina was originally hired by Umoja to be a soccer coach. But her employment with the organization has since expanded. She now supports the Girls’ Leadership program and teaches sewing in the Women’s Community Sewing program. She took the initiative to support the program as she has a background in sewing. She currently runs her own clothing company.

Working for Umoja has allowed Reina to blossom and given her confidence to pursue her own entrepreneurial path.

“I felt like, before, I didn’t have a sense of community, or it was very hard to communicate with people,” she says.

Reina says she wishes that when she was growing up, she had a woman in the community to look up to. She is proud to be able to be that person to the young girls in her community.

“I like being that person that’s different,” she says.

The post Umoja Community Mosaic creates opportunities that build belonging appeared first on Calgary Housing.

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Calgary Housing (CH) is proud to announce a new Home Based Business policy that aims to support residents who wish to operate small home-based businesses to supplement their income, build financial independence, or hone their entrepreneurship skills. With the growth of the digital economy and increased access to technology, home-based businesses are becoming more common in residential settings.

CH is committed to supporting financial resiliency and entrepreneurship for residents while ensuring compliance with local regulators. To support this, CH is rolling out a new Home Based Business Policy for residents.

The policy can support residents to operate small home-based businesses, provided all applicable legislation and requirements are met. CH is also pleased to connect residents with community partners such as Momentum and YW Calgary, for those interested in exploring entrepreneurship opportunities.

The post Calgary Housing Introduces Home Based Business Policy appeared first on Calgary Housing.