Around Town Monday January 30 Habitat
Breadcrumb Trail Links Local Businesses Commercial Real Estate Gerrad Oishi, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, celebrates new developments in Calgary and Brooks. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta / Postmedia Network Content of article
One of the most challenging tasks for Gerrad Oishi, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, is finding suitable land to build industry-leading affordable homes.
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His organization has forged a relationship with Avalon Master Builder that will result in a unique community of net-zero homes alongside affordable homes in the Northeast Borough of Livingston.
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A joint application has been made to Brookfield Residential, the developer of Livingston, for land to provide 24 Habitat for Humanity affordable townhouses alongside Avalon’s construction of 132 net-zero homes.
“The opportunity to build alongside Avalon, a new home builder with over 40 years of experience in the Calgary area, is unique and important to the city. As housing needs continue to grow in Calgary, our new townhomes in Livingston will provide a secure home for families looking for affordable home ownership,” said Oishi.
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“The opportunity to partner with Habitat for Humanity is an exciting endeavor for Avalon this year,” said Chris Williams, President of Avalon. “Collaboration between the private and nonprofit sectors is critical when additional housing supply is required, with the goal of restoring housing for all.”
Habitat for Humanity’s townhouses will occupy one acre of the four Avalon purchased from Brookfield.
RJD Design Management was responsible for completing the residential design, renderings and floorplans of the two-story, three-bedroom homes allowing for basement development and accommodating larger families.
Families buy their homes with no down payment and no interest, and mortgage payments never exceed 25 percent of each family’s total household income.
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This is possible thanks to sponsors, donors, community partners and a multitude of eager volunteers helping to build new properties.
Since 1990, Habitat for Humanity has partnered with more than 350 families in 45 communities in southern Alberta—23 in Calgary—and impacted the lives of more than 1,000 children.
Two new units will welcome families to Brooks next week, and two more are slated to open there later this year.
In Calgary, 11 units in a new row of townhouses in the community of Cornerstone will be completed this year and all have been sold to help families build strength, stability and independence.
Oishi is pleased to report that 10 of the 11 people in Calgary Housing Co.’s subsidized housing are moving out, freeing up housing for others.
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Fundraising and volunteering are vital to Habitat’s focus on building and providing homes for working families, while its ReStore stores — two in Calgary and one in Medicine Hat — raise funds from donated new and used building materials, furniture, appliances, and generate more to cover the organization’s administrative costs.
Oishi has a keen interest in helping families create affordable housing — before joining Habitat eight years ago, he was vice president of social enterprise at the Calgary Homeless Foundation — and he’s proud of his organization’s accomplishments. In addition to being able to offer so many families a home, the finalization in two categories of the Bild Awards 2022 speaks for the quality of the developments.
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Remarks:
• Congratulations to Manjit Minhas, who was appointed honorary lieutenant colonel in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (QOR) by the Department of Defense at a ceremony at Casa Loma in Toronto. Commanding Officer of QOR, Lt.-Col. Scott Moody says, “We look forward to her guidance and mentorship as one of Canada’s leading women entrepreneurs and seasoned leaders.” Renowned as a Canadian entrepreneur, television personality and venture capitalist, Minhas is the co-founder of Calgary-based Minhas Breweries and Distillery.
• James Robertson, President and CEO of the University of Calgary Properties Group, has relocated his team to the heart of the University District at the corner of University Avenue on the fourth floor above Staples. The new location allows them to support growing business needs and be fully integrated into the ever-evolving community.
David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622 or email [email protected]
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