Fall 2025 CAHF update
Founding Donors step up to support CAHF
CAHF is grateful to all donors and supporters who are helping to build more non-market affordable housing. A special group of donors are being recognized as Founding Donors and have been instrumental to CAHF’s launch.
Recently an anonymous donation was gifted to CAHF through HRJ Consulting. This Groundbreaker gift of $500,000 is so appreciated and will go directly to helping CAHF build more homes for Calgarians. The list of Founding Donors continues to grow and will directly help achieve the CAHF vision of ensuring that everyone in Calgary has a place to call home.
“We are extremely grateful to all of our founding donors,” said CEO Mike Meldrum. “These gifts highlight the support for CAHF and the commitment of our community to help Calgarians find safe and affordable homes.”
Please email ceo@thecahf.com to discuss becoming a founding donor.
CAHF celebrates 11 founding donors:
Groundbreaker - $500,000
Brookfield Properties
Anonymous donor through HRJ Consulting
Builder - $100,000
Calgary Foundation
Cal Wenzel Family Foundation
Cedarglen Living
Cindy Rutherford
Mattamy Homes
Stephanie and Brian Felesky
Partner - $50,000
Avalon Master Builder
Collin and Susan Campbell
Greg and Kirsten Mills
Project fundraising takes off
CAHF has launched fundraising for three initial projects that will provide 140 non-market affordable homes for Calgarians. Fundraising for all projects is under way as planning and construction proceeds. The three projects mark the start of capital fundraising for CAHF. Additional projects will be added to the pipeline as we complete the fundraising commitments for these three projects.
CAHF has partnered with three well-established affordable housing organizations: HomeSpace, Onward, and Silvera for Seniors. Affordable housing providers interested in learning more about partnering with CAHF are welcome to email ea@thecahf.com or visit our website.
Project spotlights:
Silvera Livingston II
Livingston Phase II will have 16 units for low to middle income seniors. Nine units will be 41 per cent below the median market rate with the additional seven units fixed at 21 per cent below the median market rate.
At a Glance:
$6.4 million capital
$640,000 fundraising
Start: Spring 2026
14-month build
Completion: Spring 2027
HomeSpace Project
The HomeSpace project provides homes for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
It will be a 52-unit community of two-storey townhouses, complete with amenity spaces, playgrounds, parking, and wraparound support programs to help families build community and thrive.
At a Glance:
$25 million capital
$2.5 million fundraising
Start: Fall 2024
18-month build
Completion: Spring 2026
Onward Project
The Onward community is comprised of 72 non-market affordable apartments and townhomes in Currie.
Rents for these units will follow a mixed income model. The mixed-income model is a hallmark of Onward's approach to non-market affordable housing.
At a Glance:
$30.2 million capital
$3 million fundraising
Start: Fall 2025
18-month build
Completion: Winter 2026
Homebuilders meet with CAHF
CAHF staff and board members met recently with several homebuilders and developers to discuss how they can continue to play a leadership role in affordable housing philanthropy. Homebuilders and developers were integral partners to the former RESOLVE campaign, which raised more than $75 million and delivered 1,850 new homes. Several builders have already committed to being CAHF founding donors, including Cedarglen Living, Mattamy Homes, Avalon Master Builder and Brookfield Properties.
Municipal election – have you asked your candidate about affordable housing?
CAHF CEO Mike Meldrum has been meeting with mayoral and city council candidates for the upcoming October 20 municipal election. The discussions focus on the affordable housing crisis and what candidates will do to help Calgarians find safe and affordable homes. We invite every Calgarian to ask candidates about their commitment to below-market affordable housing, and what specific actions they will take to improve supply and access to it.
In case you missed it…
CAHF CEO Mike Meldrum and Board Chair Dave McElhanney penned an op ed for the Calgary Herald advocating for all municipal election candidates to put affordable housing at the top of their political platforms.
“We urge all candidates to make affordable housing the cornerstone of their platforms. Without stable, safe and affordable below-market housing, Calgary cannot thrive. There is a need for a balanced approach that addresses the entire continuum of affordable housing — from homeless and emergency shelters to transitional housing, social housing, affordable rental housing, affordable home ownership, market rental housing and market home ownership.”
Read the article at this link.
New directors add strength to CAHF board
Several Calgarians have recently joined CAHF’s volunteer board. The board is comprised of leaders with expertise across many industries and sectors, including real estate, development, fundraising, public affairs, strategic leadership and governance. New board members over the past year include Anna Gritsouk, a chartered professional accountant at EY, Greg Mills, an experieinced real estate development executive, Tiffany Ardolino, a Vice-President at Brookfield Residential, and Jonathan Moser, a well-respected public affairs leader. CAHF is currently seeking a board member with experience in the legal sector. If you’re interested in learning more, please email chair@thecahf.com
CAHF team up and running
CAHF is committed to raising philanthropic capital dollars with a lean professional team. The team now has a small group of experienced staff members working to support the foundation’s vision of ensuring that every Calgarian has a place to call home. Mary Storry has joined the organization as the Senior Development Officer, Nuvyn Peters is working as a development consultant, Colleen Turner and Attena Hill are leading communications and engagement, and Tracey Normand is the CAHF accountant. The organization is led by CEO Mike Meldrum.
Affordable Housing Learning Minute
There is a lot of public discussion on affordability, affordable housing, homelessness and more. CAHF exists to serve partners focused on non-market affordable housing. Our partners provide housing for a range of populations across the affordable housing continuum.
Silvera, for example, serves seniors with low to middle incomes who can live independently.
Onward serves a diverse mix of low-income Calgarians, including those facing challenges related to mental health, addiction and domestic safety. HomeSpace provides homes for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The City of Calgary has a great visual that helps explain the continuum of housing. Below-market affordable housing is generally considered to focus on the areas to the left of Affordable Rental Housing. This is the area of housing where CAHF focuses efforts.
