Civida and IslamicFamily Partner to Develop Affordable Housing Complex for Larger and Extended Families

Civida and IslamicFamily have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to purchase land, serving as a blueprint for joint efforts and solidifying their commitment to an impactful collaboration. Earlier this week, the partnership reached a significant milestone, closing the land sale agreement for a property located in the Central McDougall area. This pivotal step demonstrates the commitment of both organizations to advancing their shared goal of providing more affordable housing options to families in need.

The exploration of building types and operation models is currently underway to ensure that the project meets the needs of the community, and represents a sound investment for both parties. As the partnership progresses, Civida and IslamicFamily remain dedicated to transparency and community engagement.

"At Civida, we believe that access to safe, affordable housing is the foundation for healthy, thriving communities. We are pleased to embark on this impactful partnership in efforts to address the growing need for affordable housing options in our city. By combining our resources and expertise, we will sustainably provide more inclusive, affordable housing solutions for families of all sizes, today and for decades to come."

Gord Johnston, Civida Chief Executive Officer: "When we give a family a food hamper we feed them for a few days – we provide reprieve. When we offer family housing, we set their kids up for stability and give them an opportunity to establish themselves – we provide relief. Housing is vital to addressing mental health, domestic violence, refugee/newcomer settlement, and so much more. Housing has the highest impact"

Howaida Hassan, Chair of the IslamicFamily Housing Committee: Civida and IslamicFamily are committed to working closely with collaborators, including government agencies, the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the City of Edmonton, local residents, and community organizations, to ensure the success of this transformative project.

About Civida: Civida is the largest provider of community and affordable housing in Edmonton, managing over 5,300 homes at more than 130 sites across the City of Edmonton. Housing more than 15,000 people, Civida administers rent subsidies for over 3,000 households each month. Collaboration is at the core of Civida’s approach, partnering with the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and the City of Edmonton, as well as social service organizations to create safe, inclusive, and affordable housing environments.

About Islamic Family & Social Services Association (“IslamicFamily”): For more than 30 years, IslamicFamily has been driven to disrupt systemic inequity, reflect a rich tradition with beauty, innovate, and serve with excellence. IslamicFamily serves over 3,000 clients every month, runs Edmonton’s second largest food bank, provides aid in financial crisis, supports victims of gender-based violence, settles refugees, and delivers a range of preventative programming for youth. IslamicFamily is rooted on Treaty 6 and proudly serves all of Alberta. IslamicFamily is an Imagine Canada & Great Places to Work™ accredited charity, the winner of the Government of Alberta’s Inspiration Award for its work combatting domestic violence (2020), the Canadian Mental Health Associations Professional Service Award (2020), Justice Innovation Award (2022) & YEG Startup Community Award (2022).