Ali Sadaka never imagined that the affordable housing building where his family found refuge in 2008 would become his workplace, and eventually, his career.

Our approach at Onward is rooted in a mixed-income model. This means we create diverse and vibrant communities by balancing near-market rents with deeply subsidized housing for individuals and families on limited incomes.

Onward has released its 2024/25 Report to Community, spotlighting a year of remarkable growth, partnership, and resident-focused innovation. In the first months of the 2025/26 fiscal year, the organization added more than 500 new homes to its portfolio, bringing the total to 2,225 units and housing approximately 3,000 Calgarians.

For more than a decade, Onward has shared seasonal cheer with residents by delivering a Gift of Warmth to every home. This past holiday season marked the fourth year that gift has been a pantry item from Twisted Canning Co., a one-woman operation from Langdon, a hamlet about 35 km east of Calgary.

Rachel’s path to a stable home at Onward’s new Killarney building was full of challenges and unexpected turns.

For Inna and her daughter, Angie, living at Onward's new building in Killarney has been a dream come true.

When Sarah fled an abusive relationship with her infant and toddler, she landed at the Brenda Strafford Centre shelter. Despite being on a priority list for affordable housing, she faced a four-year wait to secure a home for her family. “The rental market just felt impossible,” she says.

Onward is officially breaking ground on a new affordable housing development in Calgary’s community of Currie. The project will bring 72 new mixed-income homes to the city, supported by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Federal Lands Initiative, Canada Lands Company and the City of Calgary’s Housing Incentive Program.

We’re proud to share news of our latest partnership with the City of Calgary, bringing 350 new homes to life as part of the Franklin Station Area Improvements project.

On Jan. 30, 2025, Onward opened its latest affordable housing development in the established community of Killarney. This new residence will provide 29 safe and affordable homes for women and children, offering them stability, security, and access to essential community amenities.

Government announces Onward to assume property management of 500 units owned by the Government of Alberta effective March 31, 2025

“When you’re homeless you’re always told not to be somewhere. When you are told that enough, you begin to feel like you don’t belong anywhere.” 

“I never thought I would have a chance to have what I have here,” says Mark Cullain.

Mark has been growing tomatoes in the garden behind his home at Onward’s Crossroads Court building this summer. Last year, Mark didn’t have his own home and most definitely did not have a place to garden.

“Anthonian Court is a great place to live for me. It’s close to the LRT and to shopping in a nice neighbourhood. I’m very happy here.”

One of Onward’s buildings received a beautiful facelift thanks to the Beltline Urban Murals Project (BUMP) and artist Curtia Wright.

When the first family moved into Columbus Place, in December of 2013, Guillermo was very excited for Christmas. The nine-year-old boy who loved Lego and Star Wars already had the best present he could ask for — a home.

After a tumultuous period that included obtaining guardianship of Lili, her three-year-old granddaughter, abruptly losing the home she was renting, and finding herself living in shelter with Lili amidst a global health pandemic, the year ended positively for this resilient grandmother and granddaughter duo.

Catherine was unable to afford her rent. On her search for affordable housing, she found Columbus Place and Onward.