Inn from the Cold and HomeSpace invite you to rethink community and support this essential housing initiative in downtown Calgary. Project Thrive is conceived as a practical and creative partnership to directly address issues in our city, including lack of affordable housing options, depressed economic conditions, and the competition for funding between community organizations. It’s also a holistic approach to housing insecurity for families that need it the most, a call to action to reinvigorate the downtown core, and an investment in the city’s future. It’s an emergency shelter, transitional housing, affordable housing and supports — all under one roof.
Welcome to Project Thrive!
Rethinking Community
”Project Thrive is a compelling example of how to deliver both housing and critical social supports to those most in need.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek
Project Thrive Snapshot
Project Thrive represents a collaborative partnership and first-of-its-kind project, between two leaders in the non-profit sector – HomeSpace and Inn from the Cold that will include:
82 affordable housing units
10 emergency family shelter spaces
37% below-market rents
Integrated support services
10 transitional housing units
160 private-sector jobs during construction
The Vision— Rethinking Community
Inn from the Cold and HomeSpace understand that our community becomes stronger with partnerships like this. We know that together, we can accomplish so much more than we could hope to achieve on our own.
Demonstrating leadership and innovation, our two non-profit organizations have focused on housing insecurity and homelessness and are combining our areas of expertise for a first-of-its-kind, made-in-Calgary solution: the conversion of a vacant downtown office space into a multi-family hub including shelter, affordable housing and wrap-around supports for more than 180 Calgarians in need.
Situated in a prime location with easy access to transit and essential amenities, Sierra Place at 706 7 Ave SW is a vacant downtown tower that’s perfect for a retrofit, providing 82 units of affordable housing, as well as a childcare centre, family emergency shelter, and programming space.
Inn from the Cold we be relocating all of our operations to Sierra Place as part of Project Thrive.
We are designing a purpose-built environment that supports and reinforces best practices in trauma-informed care for families. With the support of both organizations and future partner agencies, families will be supported in a dignified and culturally sensitive environment with access to emergency shelter, integrated support services and affordable housing all under one roof.
Our holistic approach ensures that families won’t fall through the cracks, will see more success in achieving and maintaining housing stability — and we are confident our unique approach will help break the cycle of homelessness.
The Financial Goal
Project Thrive is a unique $30 million housing project, which will amplify benefits to families, create 160 private sector jobs, and infuse vibrancy and economic stimulation in Calgary. By working together, HomeSpace and Inn from the Cold are able to move forward and advance their respective missions and visions for the future while creating efficiencies and assuring each organization’s long-term financial security.
With 95% of the project funded through private donors, Government and corporate grants, Inn from the Cold and HomeSpace launched a shared $6.5M fundraising campaign to make this project a reality.
Please donate generously to ensure that Calgary’s most vulnerable families have shelter, supports, and permanent housing while bringing life back to the downtown core.
We are proud to count the City of Calgary as a project partner that sees this building renovation as an important first step to bolstering Calgary’s struggling downtown core. The City has pledged 5.5 million to the project, situating the redevelopment of the Sierra Place family hub inside a larger commitment to reinvigorating Calgary’s downtown.
Your Gift
Your gift supports a holistic solution, as we work to solving the issue of homelessness and housing insecurity in the City of Calgary.
Your donation to Project Thrive will benefit hundreds of vulnerable families for years to come—and in the short term, you will be helping to create homes for approximately 180 Calgarians, including families, women, children, and seniors. Community donations will be used to purchase, renovate, and secure state-of-the-art shelter, transitional and affordable housing units within Sierra Place, providing families with the right environment to thrive and step away from experiencing homelessness.
As a member of the Calgary community, we invite you to consider supporting this project with a charitable gift donation.
Meet The Project Thrive Cabinet
Project Thrive Cabinet Members are community partners, professionals and Board Members of Inn from the Cold & HomeSpace who give back their time in promotion of Project Thrive’s vision and fundraising efforts in Calgary and beyond.
Construction Updates
Walk by Sierra Place and you will see it transforming before your eyes! Construction has been quickly progressing and we are excited to share that our project is on time and on budget for a Fall 2022 opening.
Thank You To Our Donors (gifts $50,000 and above)
Government of Canada, City of Calgary, Alberta Government, Vermilion Energy, Calgary Foundation, BMO, CREB Foundation, Enbridge, ATCO, Alberta Real Estate Association, David Bissett, Canadian Natural, EON Foundation, Jenny Belzberg, Plains Midstream, Anderson Family
You’re making our multi-family hub possible!
Want To Learn More About Project Thrive? Contact Us!
Heather Morley, Executive Director
Heather@innfromthecold.org
403-608-0956
Jose Guillen, Director of Philanthropy & Campaigns
Bernadette Majdell, CEO
