As part of REALTORS^® Care Week and National Housing Day, Calgary Realtors recently took part in a build day at Habitat for Humanity's newest affordable housing development in Silver Springs.

National Housing Day highlights the importance and need for affordable housing across Canada.

Nov. 22 is National Housing Day, a valuable reminder of the urgent need for more affordable housing in and around Calgary.

According to Habitat for Humanity, one in five Canadians is currently living in housing that is unsafe or unaffordable, with Calgary ranking as one of the most difficult cities for low-income earners to live in.

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta's Silvercreek Legacy build is now underway in the northwest Calgary community of Silver Springs. Work started on the affordable housing project at the end of November, and since then water and sewer have gone in, with the foundation set to be poured at the end of January.

RESOLVE affordable housing initiative approaches successful conclusion

What do I want, you ask so innocently.
I want a HOME, as many of you have.

These lines come from a poem written by 67-year-old Anne Cartledge. "I use all capital letters when I write the word 'home,' because that's how important it is," she said.

Plagued with severe arthritis and fibromyalgia that left her unable to work, Cartledge first survived on AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) and, now, on her Old Age Security pension.

Though Cartledge describes herself as a "frugal shopper" and "good at the scrounge routine," she also admits, "I am part of the circle that if I didn't have subsidized housing, I'd be living on the street."

Habitat for Humanity celebrates completion of six new affordable homes in Bowness

Habitat for Humanity recently celebrated the completion of six new homes in Bowness that will provide affordable home ownership opportunities to six Calgary families.

"At Habitat, we know how difficult it is for families to break into the housing market," said Gerrad Oishi, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta. "That's why we're committed to working with our community to provide affordable home ownership opportunities for families. We're so thankful for every sponsor, donor, community partner and volunteer who has stepped up to make affordable home ownership opportunities possible for six families in Bowness."

Find out where Calgary's councillor candidates stand on several housing-related issues

Stakeholders say Alberta can't be overlooked when creating national strategy

As the federal government moves closer toward a national strategy on housing, key Alberta stakeholder groups say recognition of different local and regional challenges is critical to any policy changes.

"We are encouraged the federal government is doing this, but we are hoping its actions will be localized," said Kevin McNichol, vice-president of strategy for the Calgary Homeless Foundation, leader of the city's plan to end homelessness.

"In Calgary, we have the highest median income in the country, so it might be easy to overlook us. But we also have the lowest rate of affordable housing in Canada."

Housing industry expert discusses everything from affordable housing to the best room in her home

Marissa Toohey has one of the better views of Calgary's housing industry – and we're not talking about the one out of her living room. As manager of government relations and committees for the Calgary Region at CHBA - UDI Calgary Region Association. Toohey works closely with municipalities in the broader region on matters impacting the building and development industry.

CREB®Now recently had the opportunity to sit down with her to chat about everything from affordable housing to a national housing strategy. Here's what she had to say:

New housing collective seeks group approach to affordability issues

Billed as the first of its kind in Alberta, Calgary's Community Housing Affordability Collective (CHAC) launched earlier this month as a collaborative engine for improving housing affordability in the city.

While a number of local organizations already exist to address barriers to shelter, CHAC is unique is its collaborative approach, said Kim O'Brien, executive director of Horizon Housing Society and co-chair of the CHAC steering community.

Three companies to submit RFPs for Moustache Lands

The "moustache" that lies at the entrance to Canmore from Calgary will soon boast a residential development designed to alleviate the mountain resort town's lack of affordable, available housing.

The four-acre (1.6 hectare) site — known as the Moustache Lands because the property is composed of loops created by the interchanges off the TransCanada Highway — is owned by the municipality, which has now shortlisted three potential developers to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP).