Site Tours
Housing Innovation on the Ground
Thursday's optional site tours are a signature feature of Housing Forward. Delegates will visit three Edmonton projects that demonstrate what practical, on-the-ground affordable housing delivery looks like across different models and populations. Transportation to and from all sites is provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration for site tours will open on March 30, 2026.
If capacity is reached, please add yourself to the waitlist as there may be opportunity to expand the capacity or add additional groups.
Excursion Sites
Opened in 2023, McArthur Place is a 50-unit supportive housing development operated by NiGiNan Housing Ventures. Modelled on the success of Ambrose Place, it provides housing and integrated supports for individuals experiencing houselessness who have higher and complex needs, including mental health challenges, addictions, chronic health conditions, and trauma-related symptoms.
The building includes bachelor and one-bedroom suites, with 15 accessible units, and provides 24/7 on-site supports including health services, housing support workers, life-skills programming, and coordinated pharmacy services. Residents also access cultural supports and Ceremony through regular visits from the NiGiNan Cultural Team. The project was delivered using modular construction through the federal Rapid Housing Initiative, demonstrating how innovative building approaches can accelerate supportive housing delivery.
Parkside North is HomeEd's newest townhome development in the award-winning Griesbach community. The project was designed to create welcoming, connected housing in a neighbourhood known for its green space, water features, and walkable amenities. Design principles focused on mental health, sustainability, accessibility, community pride, and collaboration, with the concept of the 'Journey of Life' informing both the engagement process and architectural design.
Residents benefit from shared amenities including a shaded courtyard, community garden, barrier-free common spaces, and landscaped pathways. Approximately 21 percent of the homes are accessible, supporting residents with reduced mobility and diverse needs.
Grace Village is a 175-unit supportive housing development that integrates housing stability with climate-conscious building design. Officially opened in 2023 after nearly a decade of planning, it provides supportive housing while incorporating leading-edge sustainability features. The building is powered almost entirely by solar energy and includes ground-source heating, high-performance insulation, and energy-efficient windows design.
Designed to be net-zero ready, Grace Village significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions while lowering long-term operating costs. These green features are projected to save approximately $240,000 annually in operating costs, with projected lifetime savings of nearly $6 million. Those savings allow The Salvation Army to reinvest resources directly into programs and services for residents and the broader community.