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- calendar_today November 12, 2026
Proposal for Supportive Housing Rejected by City Council
After more than two years of planning, HomeSpace Society's proposal to build a supportive housing facility in southeast Calgary was rejected by city council on Monday. The plan aimed to address affordable housing, homelessness, and public safety concerns, but council opted to send the project back, requesting that alternative sites be considered for the development.
Concerns Over Location and Green Space
The facility was planned for a one-acre lot in the Meridian industrial park, a location selected for its proximity to transit and community health services. However, concerns were raised during public hearings about losing a rare, though under-utilized, green space and the concentration of social services in the area. These issues played a key role in council’s decision to reject the proposed site, although the project itself was not cancelled outright.
HomeSpace Expresses Disappointment and Challenges
Bernadette Majdell, CEO of HomeSpace Society, expressed her deep disappointment with the decision. She highlighted the ongoing difficulties in finding suitable sites for supportive housing in Calgary, noting that previously considered locations had been dismissed for various reasons. "We’re just not convinced that another site will get through. And to go through this for another year or two or three and be in the same position would be heartbreaking," Majdell told CBC Radio’s Calgary Eyeopener.
Project Details and Council Recommendations
The rejected facility would have included around 60 housing units, providing support for physical health, mental health, and addiction needs. It targeted people experiencing homelessness who regularly interact with first responders and community services. HomeSpace, a non-profit organization, owns and operates 35 non-market housing properties throughout Calgary. The Calgary Planning Commission had recommended approval of the proposed site prior to the council's vote.
Councilors Discuss Next Steps and Need for Decentralization
Ward 10 Councillor Andre Chabot, who opposed the proposal, cited the importance of preserving the area’s last green space and called for social services to be more evenly distributed across Calgary. He emphasized the need for urgent action to find an alternative location and suggested that the city might need to purchase land for the facility. Ward 8 Councillor Nathaniel Schmidt agreed that decentralization was a long-term goal, but argued that the proposed 24-hour facility would have provided vital services to address social disorder and public safety concerns. Schmidt questioned the council's commitment to accelerating the development of affordable and supportive housing, expressing hope for progress in the future.
Ongoing Housing and Social Service Challenges in Calgary
The debate over the HomeSpace proposal highlights ongoing challenges related to affordable housing and the siting of social service facilities in Calgary. Despite setback, city council committed to continuing its collaboration with HomeSpace and to exploring new locations for supportive housing projects. The outcome remains uncertain as discussions and site evaluations move forward in the coming months.
Source: cbc.ca.
