True North project aims to bridge gap between crisis and long-term stability

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

True North Society’s new affordable housing and wellness development in Strathmore is being designed to fill a gap the organization has seen for years – what happens after someone leaves emergency shelter?

The project recently broke ground and will include 36 housing units along with commercial and community space. Construction is expected to take roughly two years with possession anticipated in spring 2028.

For True North Society executive director Courtney Helfrich, seeing construction begin is significant after years of discussion about how the organization could provide longer-term support.

“This most recent version is about five years in the making,” she said.

Helfrich said the concept has changed several times over the years as the organization considered new construction, different designs and even retrofitting existing spaces.

“I think the overall idea and vision of a second stage has been years in the making,” she said. “The board has considered many, many different options, whether it was a new build, new design, retrofitting in another space. There’s been so many ideas that have been bounced around.”

The 36 units will form part of a continuum of care with a mix of shelter spaces, second-stage housing and affordable housing. Studio, one, two and three-bedroom units are planned.

Because some of the project’s construction financing comes through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Helfrich said affordability requirements are attached to that funding. The overall affordability of the project must remain within 80 per cent of median market values.

“It’s meant to be extremely affordable for the community,” she said.

How long residents will be able to remain in the affordable housing portion is still being worked out. Helfrich said the goal is to provide longer-term support while helping people build the skills and stability needed to eventually move forward independently.

“The goals are really reintegrating people back into community, build the life skills and the capacity for people to create sustainability and resilience in their life,” she said.

For True North, the development also addresses a problem staff repeatedly encounter through their existing domestic violence programming.

“People coming out of emergency shelter don’t have anywhere to go,” Helfrich said. “There’s no affordable options and so that was really the driving factor behind this too.”

The new model could also allow True North to work more closely with entire families rather than having support begin only after a family has been separated by a crisis.

“I think it allows us from that early intervention perspective too,” Helfrich said. She said the goal would be to wrap supports around the family while ensuring remaining together is safe.

Beyond housing, True North envisions the development as a wellness hub serving both residents and the wider Strathmore community.

Commercial space on the lower portion of the building could eventually accommodate services such as doctors’ offices and childcare. Helfrich said some community partners have expressed preliminary interest, though no tenants have been finalized.

The project has secured approximately $32 million in combined contributions from the federal government, Province of Alberta, True North Society and Calgary Foundation. Final project costs are still being determined and Helfrich said additional fundraising will be required.

“Construction isn’t the end. It’s really just the beginning for everything that’s going to happen in this building,” she said.

Helfrich also hopes the development can challenge some of the stigma surrounding domestic violence, crisis and affordable housing, particularly in smaller communities.

“Domestic violence and crisis can happen to anybody at any time,” she said. “It could be a friend; it could be your family, your parents.”

She said addressing domestic violence should be viewed as a community issue rather than something affecting only those who directly access the organization’s services.

“It is really important that we work towards this as a community because addressing and preventing domestic violence only helps other systems,” Helfrich said.

More information can be found on the True North website (truenorthab.com) or Helfrich can also be reached directly via email (courtneyh@truenorthab.com).