Making seniors feel right at home
2022-09-28

Seniors are already moving into their new homes located near a full range of services and amenities, including a community garden. The four-storey building includes a full commercial kitchen and an underground parkade.

“Alberta’s government is proud to support this excellent project, which provides a large number of new seniors housing units. This is good news for seniors, their families and the northeast area of Calgary. Greater access to housing is a key priority under our Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy.”

Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing

“Affordable and safe housing for seniors has been a concern of many of my constituents in Calgary-Cross for some time now. I am very pleased to see the new Gilchrist Commons open today. The new 115-unit building will address the need for affordable housing for seniors in Calgary-Cross and East Calgary in general.”

Mickey Amery, MLA for Calgary-Cross

“To effectively address the housing crisis, collaboration and sustained investment is required. Together with the non-profit sector and the federal and provincial governments, we are working to make affordable housing more readily available to those in positions of vulnerability. Congratulations to everyone at Silvera and we look forward to seeing all the suites filled soon.”

Jyoti Gondek, mayor, City of Calgary

“The construction of Gilchrist Commons serves as tangible evidence of the need for multiple orders of government to work together in providing affordable housing for seniors in our community. But it’s more than that. It’s about a commitment and demonstration of the desire to allow seniors to live in dignity so that they can live their best life. It’s a beautiful building with comfortable multipurpose rooms, amenities such as a hair salon and corner store, and delicious meals in a bright, sunny dining room. Gilchrist Commons is a place that anyone would be proud to call home.”

Arlene Adamson, CEO, Silvera for Seniors

The total project cost was $33.7 million.

Quick facts

  • The project created about 240 jobs in the community.

  • ASHC owns the land and the building. Silvera for Seniors will manage Gilchrist Commons.

  • Stronger Foundations: Alberta’s 10-year plan to improve and expand affordable housing maps out the changes needed to provide safe, stable affordable housing for an additional 25,000 households over the next 10 years – an increase of more than 40 per cent – to 82,000 households, by focusing on partnerships and innovation.

  • Alberta Seniors and Housing’s Capital Plan 2022 allocates $281 million over three years to provide 2,300 new and regenerated affordable housing units while supporting more than 2,000 jobs.