We’re Building Community in Collaboration
At NHA, community isn’t just something we talk about. It’s something we build, together.
We believe a truly thriving community is one where diversity isn’t an afterthought, but the foundation. Where everyone feels not just welcome but an integral part of what’s being created. That belief guides how we show up, who we partner with, and how we bring people together.
From neighbourhood events to sector partnerships, we’re proud to collaborate with others who share our vision of a more connected, vibrant future. Here are some of the collaborations we’re excited about – and grateful for – right now.
Each of these collaborations is truly a reflection of what’s possible when shared values meet real action, when neighbours step up to support neighbours, and when organizations operate with the best interests of the entire community at their core.
Accessible Housing – Bridge to Home
Our growing partnership with Accessible Housing through the Bridge to Home program is a powerful example of how supportive housing and community-rooted care can transform lives. In 2024, three individuals were housed with NHA through this program, and all reported feeling deeply supported in their Norfolk homes.
With greater stability, participants experienced measurable improvements in both mental and physical health, built stronger community ties, and moved toward greater financial independence. Together, we also helped the public systems save up to $170,000 by reducing reliance on emergency services (eg: hospitals, justice systems).
This work reflects our shared belief that everyone deserves a safe, dignified place to call home, and that community begins with inclusion. Bridges to Home prioritizes not only stable housing, but accessible and affirming environments where people can reconnect to themselves and to others.
The Arusha Center – Calgary Dollars
One collaboration with the Arusha Centre is focused on their Calgary Dollars program—a local digital credit system designed to strengthen communities from the inside out. Secondary currency is an evidence-based intervention, with research showing that it helps many residents, especially those with disabilities.
You can read more about that research here.
As a community housing partner, NHA proudly integrates Calgary Dollars into our housing ecosystem, offering residents a creative way to supplement their income, connect with neighbors, and exchange goods and services.
Through this partnership, residents can use Calgary Dollars toward a portion of their rent, easing financial strain. The platform also encourages peer-to-peer support, local engagement, and deeper community ties—all while helping to reduce unit turnover and support better upkeep. It’s a simple, innovative system with ripple effects that benefit everyone, and we’re grateful to the Arusha Centre for helping make it possible.
The Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association
Our long-standing partnership with the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association (HSCA) exemplifies how local collaboration can foster vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods.
As an active member of the Sunnyside Brightening Committee, a subcommittee of HSCA, we've worked together to enhance the community's aesthetic and social fabric. This includes supporting murals, signage, beautification projects, tree planting, gardens, and sustainability advocacy.
Monthly meetings offer residents the chance to stay informed about community developments and play an active role in decisions that impact them. We’ve also encouraged residents to explore HSCA’s many programs - from yoga classes and the Sustainable Food Program to the free tax clinic - all of which have made a real difference for our residents over the years.
Vibrant Communities Calgary
Our partnership with Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) is rooted in a shared commitment to addressing the systemic causes of poverty in Calgary.
As an Enough for All Champion, we support VCC to not only advocate for long-term change, but also create opportunities for residents and staff to engage meaningfully with local policy and build mutual understanding. VCC helps us engage in meaningful dialogue around the social, economic, and structural issues that impact everyday Calgarians – and especially the most vulnerable.
This work aligns closely with recommendations from our very own Resident Wellness Study around healing justice, as we believe systemic change must be both informed by those with lived experience and centered in community healing.
Through our collaboration with VCC, we aim to create space for both advocacy and agency—supporting residents to not only navigate challenges but also influence the systems that shape their futures.
Together with our partners, we’re imagining – and building – community that includes everyone. We’re so grateful for everyone that partners with us and one another to ensure that we can co-create a Calgary we’re all proud to live in.