A New Home for Families
About Trellis
Trellis Society (“Trellis”) is a registered non-profit dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages, backgrounds and experiences.
We work alongside those affected by homelessness, poverty, social isolation, and other challenges by providing a range of services that include housing, community hubs, employment readiness, cultural connection, and clinical supports.
Our organization is driven to create generational impact and grow communities where everyone can flourish. Trellis was formed in 2020 as a merger of two organizations (Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary and Aspen Family and Community Network Society).
Since then, we’ve grown to better serve children, youth, families, homeless or vulnerable persons, newcomers, Indigenous communities, the 2SLGBTQIA++ community, and all those who walk through our doors.
To deepen the services Trellis provides, we are looking to expand our housing programs by building and managing our own affordable family housing units. This will help alleviate the serious need for affordable housing in Calgary while also supporting the families we serve to have a safe place to call home.
A home is the foundation that every family needs to succeed as it provides the foundation to grow from and achieve your dreams.
In 2022-2023, Trellis
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Served 7,020 individuals across through our programs and services.
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Supported 2,058 individuals out of homelessness or prevented from experiencing homelessness.
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Improved 89% of families experiencing homelessness their financial stability through employment and other income supports.
OUR PROGRAMS
After School Clubs
Shelter + Housing
Group Homes
for Youth
Stay in School Programs
Therapy Programs
Pre-School
Indigenous Initiatives
Family Resource Network
Group Homes
Employment Training
Family + Parent Programs
A New Home for Families
GROWING TRELLIS HOUSING SUPPORTS
Trellis provides services across all quadrants of Calgary and surrounding communities. We operate family and community hubs, run Calgary’s only emergency shelter for youth, offer preschool and afterschool programs, and support individuals of all ages in finding and maintaining stable housing.
Our goal is to continually enhance and expand our support services. We are now ready to address one of Calgary’s most pressing challenges: the lack of affordable housing. We are expanding our housing services in the Bowness community to meet this need.
By the Numbers (2022-2023)
14
# of buildings owned or operated by Trellis, housing up to 116 people
500
# of families supported out of homelessness through our programs and services
200
# of monthly calls from people seeking housing support in Calgary
WHY BOWNESS?
Over 50 years in Bowness
Trellis has been part of the Bowness community since 1976. Trellis staff work across Bowness connecting residents with resources like rental assistance and food, and we support youth in our group home to connect back to their families.
The Bowness Hub
Our Hub is a safe place that helps build a positive sense of self through supportive adult mentors and engaging activities that challenge and enrich the body, mind and spirit of each member. We offer direct programming for children and youth (ages 6-17), while also ensuring that their families have the support needed to thrive in the community.
Commitment to Community
Trellis is deeply invested in the community and in ensuring that the work we do contributes back to our neighbours in positive ways. With staff who work, live, and play in Bowness, we know that it is a wonderful family-oriented, friendly, and active community: a perfect place for families to grow and thrive together.
WHO WILL LIVE IN THE BUILDING?
Trellis will own and operate the building, offering all units at subsidized rental rates to the families we serve. This includes single-parent and multigenerational families who will have the opportunity to live in these units long-term, allowing their children to thrive in one of Calgary’s best communities. Many of these families already live and work in Bowness, seeking stable homes close to schools and amenities.
In 2023, Trellis’ Bowness Hub identified 27 families at risk of homelessness. Every one of these families were Bowness residents, our neighbors, and were supported by Trellis to ensure their safety. These families will continue to receive support through the Bowness Hub and access to other Trellis and community-based services as needed.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CALGARY
To support our growing population, the City of Calgary believes we must increase and diversify our affordable housing options. The city defines a household in need of affordable housing if it earns less than 65% of the median income (currently $63,700) and spends 30% or more of its before tax income on shelter costs.
Despite adding 308 units per year since 2011, the city needs 2,000-2,500 new units annually to meet the demand.
Trellis will update this website as Trellis' New Home for Families evolves -
please check back regularly for updates.
Site Development
Trellis explored several options for our New Home for Families building. We looked for a site in a family-oriented neighbourhood that was near to one of our existing Trellis Hubs.
OUR SITE
The new building will be located at 6623 Bowness Road NW, ideally situated in a residential area with both single-family and multi-family homes. Currently zoned as R-CG (Residential - Grade Oriented Infill), the site is an empty lot with a small playground owned by the City of Calgary.
The City acquired the property in 1973 for an infrastructure project that never progressed. Now, select City-owned parcels are available for non-profit affordable housing at below market value. Council approved the sale of this property in October 2022, and Trellis was chosen as the successful applicant in March 2023.
While the site may be used as a park, it is not designated as such within the Bowness Area Redevelopment Plan. A portion of the proceeds will be reinvested into other park infrastructure in Bowness, with two nearby locations proposed by the City.
PERMITTING STAGE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
Our building design aligns with the Bowness Area Redevelopment Plan, approved in 2019 with community input. The ARP designates this property as Neighbourhood Mid-Rise, allowing buildings up to six storeys.
On December 2, 2025 after a robust community engagement process, Trellis received approval from City Council for its land use. Trellis applied for a land use redesignation to MU-1 (Mixed Use - General District) with modifiers, including:
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Height of 20.5 m (~5 storeys)
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Maximum density of 50 units
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Floor area ratio of 3.0
On February 13, 2025 the City Administration approved the Development Permit. The appeals process runs until March 13, 2025.
Trellis is not a private developer - this building will provide affordable housing for the families we serve.
New Building Concept
The New Home for Families building will provide Trellis with the opportunity to increase the availability of affordable housing in the city, particularly for families.
Design Stage - Construction Documents
We have moved beyond the schematic design phase and are now focusing on construction drawings.
During this phase, we produce detailed and accurate plans that adhere to local building codes and regulations. These drawings are vital for obtaining the development permit and provide the construction team with the necessary guidance to bring the design to life, ensuring the project is completed to the highest standards.
Benefits of this Development
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Provide much needed affordable housing within Calgary's NW
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Create an energy efficient building while maintaining comfortable and practical living space
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Empower pride, independence, and a strong sense of community.
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Activate the western end of Bowness Road
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Integrate sustainable design, including energy efficiency features
Design Guidelines
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Accessible units & buildings
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Durable materials with longevity in mind
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Aesthetics aligned with neighborhood character
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Community & connection between residents & neighborhood
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Family focused & friendly, including multigenerational homes
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Comfortable, trauma-informed design
Design Concepts
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A five story building - height of 20.5 m
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Up to 50 units - mix studio, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and connected three-bedroom-studios
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Parking above grade on the main level
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Accessible building with 20% barrier free units
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Design considerations to maximize privacy and decrease overall scale of building
Target date for New Home for Families building completion is Fall 2026.
Construction Updates
Trellis will update this section once construction begins to give residents and the public updates and timelines.
LAND USE AMENDMENT APPROVED
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPROVED
ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION START
ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION END
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the common questions we've heard from the community so far to help inform community members and the public about the New Home for Families building.