Apartment building will provide affordable housing for seniors in NE Calgary

A new affordable housing apartment will provide housing for 47 seniors in the northeast community of Livingston.

Livingston Terrace Apartments, owned and operated by Silvera for Seniors, came at a total cost of $20.2 million, which was funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta, and the City of Calgary.

The city says $7.7 million of the funding came through the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative, $2.6 million came from the City of Calgary, and $3 million came from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s co- investment loan program. The Province of Alberta’s Affordable Housing Partnership Program contributed $680,000 and Silvera also contributed $7.0 million, including purchase of the land through its partnership with Brookfield Residential.

Thirty-five of the units are non-market rentals, where rent is set to 30 per cent of a person’s income, and 12 of the units are below market, with rents fixed at certain percentages below Calgary rental market benchmarks.

Most of the units are one-bedroom apartments with full kitchens and in-suite laundry. There are also one-bedroom units with a den and suites with two bedrroms, including some that are wheelchair accessible.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek says all levels of government, non-profits and industry are committed to increasing the supply of housing for vulnerable Calgarians.

“Addressing the housing crisis requires strong collaboration and coordination between all orders of Government,” she said. “The city is focused on expanding affordable independent living options for seniors and will advance our efforts through the comprehensive 98 actions detailed in the Housing Strategy.”

Jason Nixon, Alberta’s Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services was at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for 149 Livingston Hill NE Wednesday. He says the new apartments will help foter a sense of dignity, security, and belonging for seniors in the area.

“Projects like these are part of our ongoing commitment to ensure Alberta’s seniors have access to safe, secure and affordable housing,” he said.

Calgary-Skyview MP George Chahal agreed, saying everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home for their safety, heatlh, and well-being.

A planned expansion to the building will increase the total number of units to 63 once additional government and donor funding is secured.

Construction of the apartments started in January 2023 and the building welcomed its first nine residents on May 1, 2024.