Million dollar boost

RBC makes donation to Calgary RESOLVE campaign

A 160-unit building will be constructed under Calgary's RESOLVE Campaign thanks to a $1-million donation from RBC.

The gift, presented April 17, was designated to Horizon Housing Society, which provides homes for people with mental health challenges and disabilities as well as families and seniors working below the poverty line, and the working poor. Horizon has provided integrated and supported homes to more than 700 people in Calgary.

"As a bank, RBC has helped so many Canadians achieve the dream of having their own home. RBC's gift builds on that foundation by bringing the dream of home to individuals and families in need," said Horizon executive director Kim O'Brien. "RBC's fit will touch the lives of hundreds of vulnerable Calgarians."

RESOLVE is a collaboration of 12 Calgary-area builders tasked to raise $120 million for affordable rental housing, with social service supports, for 3,000 people in Calgary.

"RESOLVE, Horizon Housing and the eight other partner agencies involved in this campaign are shaping the future of this city," said RBC region president Jeff Boyd. "It demonstrates the great power of partnership, and we are grateful to have an opportunity to be part of this amazing story of transformation here in Calgary."

The campaign's first offering, Stepping Stone Manor, is a 30-unit facility under construction in the Beltline.

"The more the free market moves up, the more different people end up moving down the housing ladder," said RESOLVE chair and Brookfield Residential Properties CEO Alan Norris. "So we squeeze more people at the bottom end, and that's the unfortunate reality of today's economics so we have to do something about it."

Campaigns such as RESOLVE are aiding Calgary's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Started in 2008 by a group of community leaders, the plan serves to develop a more effective system to end homelessness in the city instead of just continuing to manage it.

According to the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF), it costs about $35,000 less per person per year to provide housing with social supports, rather than cycling people through public support systems.

To date, the CHF has housed 5,842 people with support.

Joining CHF and Horizon Housing in the RESOLVE collaboration are Accessible Housing, Bishop O'Byrne Housing, Alpha House, Calgary John Howard Society, Silvera for Seniors, Mustard Seed and Trinity Place Foundation.