Decades in the Making: CAWES Opens Doors to Affordable Housing in Red Deer

First residents welcomed into long-awaited affordable housing units

RED DEER — A project decades in the making has come full circle.

On April 1, the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES) welcomed its first families into the final stage of housing: affordable, independent living.

“This moment is monumental for our organization, our clients, our staff, and our community,” said CAWES Executive Director Stacy Waddell.

“These units are not just for those who have stayed with us or accessed our services — they are available to any woman who has experienced domestic violence.”

The 23 one- and two-bedroom apartments are located within the same building as the emergency shelter and transitional housing but are designed as fully independent living spaces, complete with a separate entrance.

“This was important because we want residents to feel a sense of independence, while knowing support is there when they need it,” Waddell said.

Each unit includes a full kitchen and bathroom, in-suite laundry, and comes fully furnished.

“We wanted to ensure there were no barriers for families moving in,” Waddell added. “Our goal was to have these spaces ready when they are.”

The 60,000-square-foot facility was funded through an approximately $30 million grant from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. An additional $2 million was raised by CAWES to furnish and equip the units.

“Our community truly stepped up when we needed them most,” said Meagan MacEachern, Community Partnership Manager for CAWES. “They helped transform this safe, supportive facility into a place families can call home.”

Waddell added that the impact of the project extends far beyond housing.

“By reducing barriers for women fleeing domestic violence, we’re not only helping them — we’re helping their children and future generations by breaking the cycle,” she said.

For more information or to apply, visit cawes.com.