Siksika Off-Reserve Affordable Housing to take part in Calgary housing project

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Siksika Off-Reserve Affordable Housing (SORAH) is among several First Nations organizations set to benefit from the City of Calgary’s Indigenous Housing Program. 

The city has awarded $33 million to 16 Indigenous nations and Indigenous-led non-profit organizations, which, overall will create up to 379 new non-market homes. 

“SORAH, through a process called the non-market land sale, will be developing a parcel in the southeast area of Calgary right beside the Erin Woods twin arena. That will see the development of 30 stacked townhomes,” said Max Lloyd, general manager of SORAH. “It will be 60 total, so 30 upper, and 30 lower (units) and a small welcome centre on the property as well.”

The total $33 million dedicated to the program is being divided amongst three funding streams, each tackling a different aspect of housing development.

SORAH’s funding falls under Stream Two, being for housing development and is one of five projects which fall into this stream.

“The city announced a non-market land sale in early 2024. SORAH, along with other Indigenous housing providers, put in an application, and SORAH was one of the successful applicants,” said Lloyd. 

“During the development of the program itself, the City of Calgary created an Indigenous housing committee working in conjunction with the chief housing office in Calgary and through many meetings and ultimately, shared understanding of the territory, the people, and the need for housing … all of these things essentially came together to result in coming to this stage.”

Lloyd added there still remain several issues yet to clear with city hall in terms of development and building permit issuances which are standard with any regulatory body and occur with any development project. 

SORAH is anticipating a groundbreaking for the Erin Woods project to take place later this spring, and occupancy of the units by January 2028. 

“There have been a number of things in the works already including submissions by the architectural team, geotechnical surveys, working with the civic engineers, project managers; there is an extensive team that has been working to bring this development to life,” said Lloyd. “There is no shortage of consultation with members of Siksika Nation – elders from Siksika Nation, also elders from the Indigenous housing office in Calgary.”

The units present on the development, once completed, will largely be a mix of two- and three-bedroom units, with six being fully accessible for those with disabilities. 

The general idea being to be set up for two persons or small families to have an affordable place within the city limits that is cognizant of cultural and spiritual needs.

“The work of the Chief Housing Office is deeply connected to reconciliation,” said Reid Hendry, Chief Housing Officer. “Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya is built from meaningful engagement and guided by the principle of ‘For Indigenous, By Indigenous.’ This program shows us what reconciliation in action looks like. These efforts are not just about meeting housing needs; they are about restoring balance, amplifying Indigenous voices and walking a shared path forward.”