Canada and Alberta celebrate groundbreaking for housing for seniors in Bassano

BASSANO, AB, Sept. 18, 2026 /CNW/ -- Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada's housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to build affordable housing across the country. We are focused on building great neighbourhoods that Canadians want to, and can afford to live in.

Central to that work, the Government of Canada has launched Build Canada Homes, which is helping increase the pace of affordable homebuilding. Build Canada Homes is also helping fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing – working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. It is building deeply affordable and community housing for low-income households, and partnering with private market developers to build affordable homes for the Canadian middle class.

As part of the Government of Canada's broader efforts to respond to the housing crisis, investments are being made across the housing continuum to respond to the needs of communities across Canada.

Today, the federal government, along with the Province of Alberta and the Newell Housing Foundation celebrated the groundbreaking of the Connection Flats, a project that will bring 10 safe and secure homes for seniors to Bassano. This project received $3.4 million in joint funding from the federal and provincial governments.  Connection Flats will be located at 634 – 5 Street. Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2027.  

The Government of Canada is making the housing investments that will help strengthen Canadian supply chains and create good jobs at every step of the homebuilding process – helping to build more homes and a stronger Canadian economy at the same time.

Quotes:

"Every senior deserves a safe, comfortable place to call home. The groundbreaking of Connection Flats is an important milestone for Bassano and will help ensure more seniors can remain active, connected, and independent within their community. Through our partnership with the Government of Alberta and the Newell Housing Foundation, we are investing in housing that strengthens communities and improves quality of life for residents." – Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.

"Seniors should not have to choose between an affordable home and staying close to their family and community. In Bassano, thanks to this partnership, they won't have to. That is exactly the kind of practical, community-based housing solution the Affordable Housing Partnership Program was created to support." – The Honourable Nathan Neudorf, Alberta's Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Housing

"The Newell Housing Foundation is excited about the Connection Flats Project and the opportunity to provide quality housing for seniors in our area. We deeply appreciate our partners, the community and all stakeholders who have contributed to making this important initiative possible." – Sasha Loewen CAO Newell Housing Foundation

Quick Facts:

• The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10+ year, $115+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
  • As of June 2026 the federal government has committed $83.83 billion to support the creation of over 202,695 units and the repair of over 343,060 units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
  • NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and people with lived experience of housing need.
• Funding provided for 634 – 5 Street is as follows:
  • $3.4 million of joint funding from the Alberta Housing Partnership Program through the Canada-Alberta Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy. This funding was announced in May 2026.
  • The Newell Housing Foundation will pay for all costs not covered through the AHPP grant.

Additional Information:

• Visit canada.ca/housing for the most-requested Government of Canada housing information. 
• Build Canada Homes is ready to partner with organizations committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing across Canada. Learn more about the portal and the Investment Policy Framework.
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is a federal Crown corporation and the foundation of Canada's housing system. For over 80 years, CMHC has supported the functioning of housing markets across the country through housing finance solutions -- including mortgage loan insurance and securitization -- while providing trusted, unbiased data, research and market intelligence to inform policy and decision making. Through its national presence, deep expertise in housing economics and finance, and a system-wide perspective, CMHC helps foster a more stable, well-functioning housing market that supports households, communities and the broader economy.
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SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Contacts: Arianna Durgerian, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]