Winston Heights - Mountview non-market housing development
Future non-market housing site
The City of Calgary is committed to using City-owned land in ways that support municipal priorities for all Calgarians. The City has selected Liberty Housing Organization for the future development and operation of affordable homes at this site. For this development, Liberty Housing will partner with the Sinneave Family Foundation (Sinneave) to focus on helping autistic youth and adults thrive.
Winston Heights - Mountview Site - Future development
Address of the site:
155 Cirrus Cl NE
(Click to view map)
Current Zoning
MU-1f2.5h22 Mixed Use - General
Timeline
2024
2025
2025
Opportunities for community feedback
There will be opportunities for community engagement during this process.
The applicant is expected to conduct outreach with the community on aspects such as the built form as part of the planning and development process. The City recommends that applicants connect with the surrounding neighbours, community association, relevant member-based organizations and the Ward Councillor early in the process to discuss their development ideas.
Applicants will be asked to submit an Applicant Outreach Summary as part of their application to explain what community outreach efforts were undertaken.
The City also accepts feedback through the online development map (dmap) during this part of the process. Feedback on whether non-market housing is built at the site or not will not be up for consideration during the development approval process.
Site selection
A number of considerations are taken into account in the selection of non-market housing sites, such as the size of the parcel so that it could accommodate a housing development, and proximity to public transit, grocery stores, and other amenities and essential services.
As part of Home is Here Refresh - The City’s Housing Strategy (2026 - 2030), The City routinely sells surplus City-owned land at below market value to non-profit housing developers for the development of more non-market housing.
To date, The City has approved the sale of 19 City-owned parcels of surplus land to 10 non-profit organizations to develop and operate an estimated 985 non-market homes to provide Calgarians with safe and affordable accommodation.
This site was approved for sale by City Council on July 29, 2025,
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “non-market housing”?
Non-market housing refers to housing that is not provided by the private market, but by public, non-profit, or cooperative sectors, often at rents or prices below standard market rates. This type of housing is specifically targeted towards low- and moderate-income households who may not be served by private developers and is characterized by long-term affordability secured through deeds and covenants.
Sometimes “non-market housing” is also referred to as “affordable housing.” In Canada, housing is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30 per cent of a household’s before-tax income.
When was the land offered for sale?
The site was marketed for sale in Q4 of 2025 to eligible non-profit organizations. Following a competitive application and evaluation process, The City awarded the site to the successful applicant.
What will be built at this site?
This development will have 105 units, with a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments. Common areas will be barrier-free, and 20 per cent of units will be designed to meet accessibility standards.
Is this going to be a homeless shelter or an addictions recovery centre?
No. It is going to be non-market housing units.
What demographic is this site intended for?
100 per cent of the units in the Winston Block will be dedicated to serving autistic adults and youth; supporting low to moderate income households underserved by the private market, Winston Block will offer quality, livable, long-term solutions.
What supports will this development provide for residents?
In partnership with Liberty, Sinneave will unlock housing opportunities for autistic adults and youth in Alberta. This development will include key design considerations, including:
- Sensory-friendly lighting and acoustic design
- Clear and intuitive wayfinding and signage
- Dedicated sensory retreat spaces
- Inclusive colour palletes and material selections
- Reduced visual and auditory distractions
Will this parcel of land be non-market housing permanently once built?
Successful applicants will enter into a 40-year housing agreement with The City that guarantees a level of non-market affordability for the long term.
When can the community participate in engagement?
There will be opportunities for engagement as the non-profit housing provider prepares the applicable applications.
Is this land designated as a park?
No. This parcel of land is not designated as a park, though we understand some of our surplus land parcels may look like parks. There have been some recent misconceptions about the perceived sale of parks.
To be clear, The City does not sell public parks in the Non-Market Land Sale Program. This site is surplus land that is available to be used as an important tool to address the housing needs of Calgarians.
Why build non-market housing in a community that has no non-market housing?
About half of Calgary communities have non-market housing units. One action in our Home is Here Housing Strategy is to encourage a minimum of 15 per cent of the housing in every community to be non-market to provide equal distribution across the city. Also, having a diversity of people and housing is beneficial to the vibrancy of communities.
Should I be worried about an increase in crime in my neighbourhood?
No. Research studies conducted in Canada, the U.S. and other countries demonstrate similar findings that crime rates in a neighbourhood are unaffected by the existence of non-market housing.
What are the size of the land parcels?
| Site | Parcel Size (acre) |
|---|---|
| Site : 155 Cirrus CL NE | Parcel Size (acre) : 0.90 |
Have a question?
Do you have a question that hasn’t been addressed? Submit your question here. Common questions will be collected and added to the Frequently Asked Questions section on this webpage. Questions will also be shared with the future applicant. Please note your opportunity to provide specific feedback on the development proposal will happen at a future date.