DESCRIPTION
Project Dignity addresses the urgent need to restore safety, comfort, and dignity within Heart Home Network’s 85 housing units, many of which have experienced years of heavy use with limited capital reinvestment. Aging furniture, worn finishes, and outdated kitchens and bathrooms reduce habitability and can undermine residents’ physical health, mental well‑being, and ability to stabilize their lives.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
Heart Home Network operates within a deeply affordable, housing‑first framework designed to ensure housing remains accessible to people who would otherwise be priced out of the private market. Rents are generally set using rent‑geared‑to‑income (RGI) or non‑market affordable housing principles, meaning residents typically pay no more than 30% of their income for housing. This approach aligns with widely recognized affordability standards and ensures housing stability for individuals and families with very low or unstable incomes. By contrast, average market rents in Calgary often consume well over 40–60% of income for low‑income households, creating significant risk of housing instability or homelessness. Heart Home Network’s pricing is intentionally well below market rates, providing predictable, manageable housing costs regardless of fluctuations in the rental market. This affordability model is paired with wrap‑around supports, making it especially effective for people exiting homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or working toward recovery and independence. Stable, affordable housing allows residents to focus on healing, employment, education, and reconnecting with the community—preventing a return to homelessness and supporting long‑term reintegration.
Target Completion Date
March 31, 2028
Populations Served
Women in Need
Total Project Cost
$1,615,000.00
Total Units
85
Affordable Units
85
Populations Served - Notes
Women in Need
Project Funding
Funding Required
Project Dignity seeks $1,615,000 in capital funding to complete comprehensive, one‑time upgrades to 85 Heart Home Network housing units. Funds will support essential capital improvements including new furniture and beds, upgraded kitchens and appliances, renewed bathrooms, drywall and paint restoration, and durable flooring. These upgrades will create safe, dignified, and healing living environments for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence and preventing homelessness. By stabilizing housing and improving unit quality, this investment supports homelessness prevention while residents engage in wrap‑around services that promote recovery, independence, and successful reintegration into the community.
Funds Raised
Our diversified funding approach provides stability, reduces single-source risk and positions Project Dignity for timely and full implementation. Strong alignment confirmed with multiple funders whose priorities include housing stability, domestic violence recovery, and homelessness prevention. Active submissions and relationship-based discussions under way. Government & Public Sector Capital Programs eligibility has been identified and applications in progress, aligned with infrastructure renewal, housing retention, and vulnerable populations. Corporate social responsibility programs, financial institutions have been engaged with demonstrated interest in community housing, social impact and ESG-focused capital investments. We are currently at the cultivating stage for Philanthropic & Major Individual Gifts with early interest based on project readiness, scale and measurable outcomes.
Use of funds
The requested funds will be used to complete comprehensive capital upgrades across 85 housing units within Heart Home Network to ensure they are safe, functional, and dignified homes. Funding will support the replacement of worn furniture and beds; upgrades to kitchens including modern, energy‑efficient appliances; bathroom improvements; repairs to drywall with fresh paint; and installation of durable, long‑lasting flooring designed for high‑use supportive housing environments.These investments will directly improve residents’ daily living conditions, health, and sense of stability. Clean, well‑maintained units reduce safety risks, enhance mental well‑being, and create environments conducive to healing for individuals and families exiting homelessness or fleeing domestic violence. By strengthening the physical quality and longevity of the units, the project will also lower ongoing maintenance costs and prevent unit loss. Overall, the investment supports housing stability and homelessness prevention while residents engage in wrap‑around services that help them recover, rebuild independence, and reintegrate into the community.
Human Impact Story
A mother and her two children—a small child and a pre‑teen—arrived at Heart Home Network after fleeing domestic violence, carrying the effects of trauma and prolonged instability. Through access to a safe, dignified home and comprehensive wrap‑around supports, the family began to heal. The children regained a sense of security, re‑engaged in school and community activities, and showed renewed confidence and emotional well‑being. While stabilizing her family, the mother participated as a foundational learner, strengthening her skills and self‑confidence until she became employable and future‑focused. Today, the family is no longer surviving in crisis but actively participating in community life, demonstrating how stable housing paired with supportive services can break cycles of violence, prevent homelessness, and restore hope and opportunity
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