New Affordable Housing Initiative in Calgary.

Two years ago Calgary Jewish Community Council began a serious examination of Jewish poverty in the community. Staff, lay volunteers and important stakeholders worked hard to create meaningful responses to the problem. 

 This year CJCC together with Calgary Jewish Family Service embarked on a new affordable housing initiative. The initiative will involve providing direct subsidies for rental accommodation as the situation with housing in Calgary has become extremely acute directly hitting some people in the city, many of whom are immigrants. 

A volunteer committee called Project Connect was formed, which managed to negotiate a subsidy arrangement with one of Calgary’s largest apartment owners.

Under this plan, the owner of the apartment units is offering a $150 per month subsidy, while Community Council will be providing $300 a month.  Both CJCC and the apartment owner are committed to the project for 18 months. Jewish Family Service administers the application processes as well as rules for eligibility.

 A key element in the housing program is that the apartment units are not all located in a single building as a deliberate attempt not to stigmatize individuals or families by locating them all in the same building.

 Project Connect is an important initiative for the entire community. Dealing with people with dignity and respect will result in connecting more Jews to the community.