Cost of the project

• The 14th Street development is a Brenda Strafford Foundation initiative.
• Total cost of the project is approximately $25 million.
• The Brenda Strafford Foundation has provided approximately $14 million.
• The Government of Alberta has provided $7.9 million in capital funding under the Alberta Affordable Housing Partnership Initiative.
• The Calgary Real Estate Board Charitable Foundation has provided $500,000 toward the capital campaign goal of $4 million, making it the major non-profit partner in the project.

Scale of the project

• The development broke ground in June 2008, with an estimated completion date of December 2010.
• The development will be an 84,000 square foot housing project.
• Affordable housing and domestic violence shelter services will be integrated along with social supports.
• The goal of the development is to increase the available housing timeframe for abused women and children to more than two years, reducing recidivism by allowing more than 90 per cent of women the opportunity to end the cycle of violence in their lives.
• The facility will include 34 second stage shelter apartments, 51 affordable housing apartments, nine market condos and eight retail spaces.

The Brenda Strafford Centre for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

• The Brenda Strafford Centre was established in January 1996 when it became apparent that there was a dire need in Calgary for long-term accommodation for women leaving emergency shelters.
• In cooperation with Calgary Housing Company, The Brenda Strafford Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence opened its doors to women and their children who had fled domestic violence.
• The centre is currently a second-stage shelter for women and their children. It currently offers secure affordable housing for stays up to six months, during which time residents are provided with the support systems necessary to rebuild self-confidence and break the cycle of domestic abuse.

 To learn more about the Brenda Strafford Centre and this project go to www.brendastraffordsociety.org/campaign.php.