Affordable housing project in Rosedale sparks complaints and questions

A recently-approved affordable housing project in the community of Rosedale is sparking concerns among community members.

The 16-unit housing project will be built on eight unused parcels of city-owned land between 4 Street and 10 Street N.W., next to a sound wall on 16 Avenue.

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The housing project has angered some people living in Rosedale. Comments emailed to the City of Calgary from irate residents can be seen in a report on the city’s website.

“Rosedale is not a place for affordable housing,”

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Another resident urged the City of Calgary to “rethink” the “crazy idea.”

“I would rather have my taxes raised then to have low-income houses there.”

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Amber Cannon, a Calgary blogger who writes about social issues, said she was disgusted and appalled by some of the comments made by Rosedale residents.

“I was shocked and absolutely stunned that Calgarians still view low-income residents like this, and that the stigma is still there.”

Cannon herself lives in subsidized housing in Calgary.

“My neighbours are such hard-working individuals and families. It’s a hand-up and we are very grateful to have it. This is much better than living in your car or at the drop-in center.”

Not all residents in Rosedale are against the idea of affordable housing, but some told Global News they didn’t understand why the eight parcels of land were chosen.

“Is Calgary not big enough to put it somewhere else where there’s more space,” Kerri Lynn Noble questioned. “Are they going to enjoy being right against our fence? Is that going to be comfortable for people living there? Will it be comfortable for us?”

Ward 12 Councillor Shane Keating voted against the project.

He said he is in favour of affordable housing in Rosedale, but wonders if building on the skinny parcels of land is the most efficient way to proceed.

“There may be the possibility of combining them with the lot next to them, and actually having a very large lot which would allow you to build a multi family affordable housing within the community,” Keating said. “I question why we didn’t look at that.”

The project goes before council next month.