Alberta campaign
We are excited to announce that Veterans’ House Canada will be building a second home in Edmonton, Alberta.
The City Council Executive Committee of Edmonton approved a 1.46-acre parcel of land in Athlone, North-West Edmonton, on December 6th, 2023. We anticipate construction beginning in 2025 and opening our doors in 2026. Our new building will be similar to our Ottawa home and will feature 40 bachelor units, a social room, a fitness room, library, park with a covered barbecue area, community planting garden, meditation park, and a service dog area.
Dedications,
Naming Opportunities
and
Sponsorships
We are launching the Alberta Campaign to raise an additional $6 million in private donations to reach our fundraising target for our new home in Edmonton.
SPONSORSHIPS & DEDICATIONS
There will be 40 suites in the home, as well as indoor/outdoor common and community areas. We will be offering dedication and naming opportunities for each of these spaces.
Our Sponsorships and Dedications Package is available fall of 2024. With your generous support, Veterans House will continue to be at the forefront of supporting Veterans experiencing homelessness.
For more information:
CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR
Karen I. Miller kim.inc@kimfundraising.com
+1 (416) 587-1367
Alberta Sponsorship Package
Building Dedication
Veterans’ House Edmonton will feature a 3-storey, 40-unit apartment building that will provide permanent, affordable and supportive housing for homeless Veterans. The building has been specifically designed to meet the needs of Veterans. Full accessibility is provided for 20% of the units and all common amenity spaces, while the remaining suites are ‘visitable’. Communal spaces including a multipurpose room, a fitness room, a laundry room, a library, and a shared kitchen are provided to promote community engagement and healthy living. A calming outdoor space includes a meditation garden, a covered barbecue patio, a vegetable garden, and a fenced dog park. Shared offices in the building provide support services for the Veterans as they adjust to civilian life
Building Dedication
Veterans’ House Edmonton will feature a 3-storey, 40-unit apartment building that will provide permanent, affordable and supportive housing for homeless Veterans. The building has been specifically designed to meet the needs of Veterans. Full accessibility is provided for 20% of the units and all common amenity spaces, while the remaining suites are ‘visitable’. Communal spaces including a multipurpose room, a fitness room, a laundry room, a library, and a shared kitchen are provided to promote community engagement and healthy living. A calming outdoor space includes a meditation garden, a covered barbecue patio, a vegetable garden, and a fenced dog park. Shared offices in the building provide support services for the Veterans as they adjust to civilian life
Foyer
Guests, friends, and family members will be greeted by a bright foyer featuring a story wall highlighting the beginning of Veterans’ House Canada and our journey. Upon entering the foyer, a small seating area will provide a comfortable setting for gatherings and casual conversations. Naming recognition will be featured on a Sponsor Recognition Plaque, prominently displayed in this welcoming space.
Foyer
Guests, friends, and family members will be greeted by a bright foyer featuring a story wall highlighting the beginning of Veterans’ House Canada and our journey. Upon entering the foyer, a small seating area will provide a comfortable setting for gatherings and casual conversations. Naming recognition will be featured on a Sponsor Recognition Plaque, prominently displayed in this welcoming space.
Individual Floor Namings
The main floor is planned to include communal spaces such as the community room, fitness room, community kitchen, laundry room, and office spaces, along with 8 fully accessible units. The second and third floors will each consist of 16 bachelor units. Consideration has been given to the selection of finishes on each floor to avoid trigger colours for those suffering from PTSD. Additionally, exposed wood accents will be used throughout the building to create a calming ambiance
Individual Floor Namings
The main floor is planned to include communal spaces such as the community room, fitness room, community kitchen, laundry room, and office spaces, along with 8 fully accessible units. The second and third floors will each consist of 16 bachelor units. Consideration has been given to the selection of finishes on each floor to avoid trigger colours for those suffering from PTSD. Additionally, exposed wood accents will be used throughout the building to create a calming ambiance
Community Kitchen
Veterans’ House Edmonton will provide an environment for Veterans to support each other. This includes having a space to cook and share a meal together and with other guests, serving as a bridge to transition from military culture to civilian life. The kitchen will come fully equipped with commercial ovens and stove tops as well as pots and pans, kitchen utensils, dishes and cutleries.
Community Kitchen
Veterans’ House Edmonton will provide an environment for Veterans to support each other. This includes having a space to cook and share a meal together and with other guests, serving as a bridge to transition from military culture to civilian life. The kitchen will come fully equipped with commercial ovens and stove tops as well as pots and pans, kitchen utensils, dishes and cutleries.
Community Social Room
The bright community room will serve as the main social hub of the building. This fully accessible space will be available 24/7, it will feature a large-screen TV, comfortable couches, and chairs. Located right beside the community kitchen, it will also feature large dining tables – a perfect place to host large gatherings. This space will also host a variety of support and social programs for the Veterans.
Community Social Room
The bright community room will serve as the main social hub of the building. This fully accessible space will be available 24/7, it will feature a large-screen TV, comfortable couches, and chairs. Located right beside the community kitchen, it will also feature large dining tables – a perfect place to host large gatherings. This space will also host a variety of support and social programs for the Veterans.
Fitness Room
Fitness is synonymous with the military culture and helps with the transition and recovery of the Veterans. Veterans’ House Edmonton will feature a fully commercially equipped Fitness Room. In this dedicated space, Veterans will have the opportunity to work with a personal trainer to design an individualized training plan or execute a rehabilitation plan.
Fitness Room
Fitness is synonymous with the military culture and helps with the transition and recovery of the Veterans. Veterans’ House Edmonton will feature a fully commercially equipped Fitness Room. In this dedicated space, Veterans will have the opportunity to work with a personal trainer to design an individualized training plan or execute a rehabilitation plan.
Community Development & Health Support Office
Located adjacent to the foyer, this office space will house the Community Developer who will work closely with each Veteran tenant to ensure that they are accessing the support programs they are qualified for and receiving the care that they need. This dedicated office space will ensure that Veterans’ privacy is respected while addressing needs around mental health problems, alcoholism, and drug addiction that contribute to and perpetuate homelessness and instability among Veterans. The transition from military to civilian life is dislocating for many; the abrupt change to the relatively unstructured civilian world from a very highly structured one can also disrupt focus, and trust, and destroy families and friendships.
Community Development & Health Support Office
Located adjacent to the foyer, this office space will house the Community Developer who will work closely with each Veteran tenant to ensure that they are accessing the support programs they are qualified for and receiving the care that they need. This dedicated office space will ensure that Veterans’ privacy is respected while addressing needs around mental health problems, alcoholism, and drug addiction that contribute to and perpetuate homelessness and instability among Veterans. The transition from military to civilian life is dislocating for many; the abrupt change to the relatively unstructured civilian world from a very highly structured one can also disrupt focus, and trust, and destroy families and friendships.
Library
Located on the main floor and fully accessible at any time, the cozy library offers a quiet space for Veterans to spend some time catching up on their favourite novels or the news. A wall-to-wall bookshelf will house a variety of books for Veterans to choose from. Additionally, the library is equipped with a computer and printer to facilitate access to their online support system. The library serves as an indoor space where Veterans can reserve per-time to meet with friends and reconnect with family members.
Library
Located on the main floor and fully accessible at any time, the cozy library offers a quiet space for Veterans to spend some time catching up on their favourite novels or the news. A wall-to-wall bookshelf will house a variety of books for Veterans to choose from. Additionally, the library is equipped with a computer and printer to facilitate access to their online support system. The library serves as an indoor space where Veterans can reserve per-time to meet with friends and reconnect with family members.
Veterans’ Residences
40 furnished studios (including 9 fully accessible). Each one is designed to meet the specific needs of Veterans and features the following: a bathroom, storage spaces, a kitchenette and fridge, a table, bed, new mattress and chairs, a starter kit (bedding, towels, cleaning/ cooking/laundry supplies, an alarm clock, a quilt or afghan, etc.)
Veterans’ Residences
40 furnished studios (including 9 fully accessible). Each one is designed to meet the specific needs of Veterans and features the following: a bathroom, storage spaces, a kitchenette and fridge, a table, bed, new mattress and chairs, a starter kit (bedding, towels, cleaning/ cooking/laundry supplies, an alarm clock, a quilt or afghan, etc.)
Private Therapy & Meeting Room
Located on the main floor, the private therapy and meeting rooms are specifically designed to facilitate one-on-one support between our Veterans and their diverse support staff. These rooms are an ideal, dedicated space for confidential discussions with their caseworkers and counselors.
Private Therapy & Meeting Room
Located on the main floor, the private therapy and meeting rooms are specifically designed to facilitate one-on-one support between our Veterans and their diverse support staff. These rooms are an ideal, dedicated space for confidential discussions with their caseworkers and counselors.
Veterans’ Wall of Honour
Featured prominently in the foyer, the Wall of Honour plaque will highlight the generous donors who have made Veterans’ House Edmonton a reality. More importantly, it reminds the Veterans who live there that the community cares for them and that they are not forgotten.
Veterans’ Wall of Honour
Featured prominently in the foyer, the Wall of Honour plaque will highlight the generous donors who have made Veterans’ House Edmonton a reality. More importantly, it reminds the Veterans who live there that the community cares for them and that they are not forgotten.
For more opportunities, download here to preview and save the Alberta sponsorship package.
Take a Tour
Edmonton Project Update
Our projected cost will be approximately $15M. We have already received a grant of $3.4M from the Government of Alberta and $2.5M from the City of Edmonton under the Affordable Housing Investment Program (AHIP). In private funding, we secured a commitment of at least $1M from Canso Investment Counsel Ltd.
To fill the gap, we are launching the Alberta Campaign.
You can be part of this impactful project today. Corporate partnerships are important as we support our Veterans across the Alberta region.
In the coming weeks, you may notice activity at the development site. Veterans’ House Canada and its contractors are conducting surveys and other design and construction-related work, as we begin the development process.
- Location: Edmonton
- Completion Date: Summer 2026
- Units: 40
Our Edmonton House Design
Edmonton Community
Veterans’ House Canada is committed to building relationships with residents of Athlone and establishing clear lines of communication as the project moves through the construction process.
If you have questions about the development, please email us at edmonton.project@Veteranshousecanada.ca
We anticipate the official groundbreaking ceremony in the near future with the presence of government officials, private donors, and supporters.
EllisDon Community Builders (EDCB) is our partner in building the Edmonton home. Please check this page for more information and updates.
Media contact email:
communications@Veteranshousecanada.ca
Engagement events
Our engagement team will be hosting in-person events and posting updates here. Please check back for updates. We hope to see you at one of our events.
Follow Us
Campaign
Brick-by-Brick
Every family can contribute to building our community with a Brick at one of these levels: $100, $500, $1000.
We deeply appreciate the kindness and generosity of every person and family who joins us in this effort. Thank you for giving towards a home for our Veterans at risk and experiencing homelessness across Alberta and beyond!
FAQs
Historical Data
Historically data about the incidence of homelessness amongst Veterans has not been available: situation has changed in last 5 years.
The Government of Canada recognizes that there are between 3,000 to 5,000 homeless Veterans across Canada. 2018 Point in Time (PiT) counts across Canada show that although Veterans make up only 1.7% of the Canadian population, they represent approximately 4.4% of the homeless.
In 2018, Alberta did not break out homeless Veterans PiT data by city, but rather a province wide aggregate of 6.5% applied to Edmonton’s estimated homeless population of 3000 people, this means over 150 of them are homeless Veterans.
The problem can be solved given the political support, resources, local backing and focused supportive housing providers.
Veterans’ House Edmonton provides 40 permanent, affordable, and supportive housing units for homeless Veterans. Our comprehensive programs aim to address the root causes of homelessness, including Addiction Services, Mental Health Support, and more.
Veterans transitioning to civilian life often face significant challenges, as identified in Ray’s 2011 study. About 25% of Canada’s Veteran population encounters difficulties transitioning from military to civilian life, which can lead to homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse.
While Veterans Affairs Canada diligently works to support Veterans, the scale of homelessness among Veterans necessitates collaboration between all levels of government and organizations like Veterans’ House Canada. We ask you to consider donating to Veterans House Canada.
The total project cost will be approximately $15 million. Our fundraising goal for the construction of Veterans’ House Edmonton is $6 million in private donations. Join our monthly donors or make a secure online donation today.
Ready to take action to help the homeless here in the Edmonton area? You’ll find our volunteer application here. What to do more? View our full resource page.
There are several ways to donate to Veterans. Visit our Ways to Donate page.
Housing applications for Veterans’ House Edmonton will open in the Fall of 2025. Stay updated by checking our website for announcements.
Veterans’ House Edmonton will provide permanent housing to all Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces who are either experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Stay tuned for updates on the opening date.