Norfolk Housing Association

What Norfolk Housing Association does

Norfolk Housing Association (NHA) is a Calgary-based non-profit founded in 1980 by residents of the Hillhurst-Sunnyside community to deliver affordable, community-rooted rental housing. The organization operates six properties in the Kensington/Hillhurst-Sunnyside area, offering bachelor, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units under a 50/50 mixed-income model that splits the portfolio between market-rate units and rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units where residents pay 30-40% of income and NHA subsidizes the remainder. NHA also owns and rents commercial space at market rates, and supplements operations with one-time capital and project grants, while explicitly not relying on government funding for ongoing operations. In 2016, NHA became mortgage-free on all properties and added a 24-unit building — its first portfolio expansion in 15 years — establishing a structurally low-cost operating base.

The company's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: all rental units are listed on RentFaster with pricing, income requirements, and application processes, with partner agencies applying through the same portal for RGI placements, and a headquarters office at 1118 Kensington Road NW handling in-person inquiries. Customer segments span low-to-moderate-income individuals and families, seniors and people with disabilities (with accessibility-focused unit design), and market-rate renters who choose NHA for community orientation. Differentiation rests on the mixed-income model, which allows residents to transition between market and subsidized rates without changing homes, plus community programming including the Calgary Dollars community currency, Community Cupboards for basic needs, and partnerships with the Kensington BRZ, Bridge to Home/Accessible Housing, Arusha Centre, and local Kensington businesses. The organization is privately held as a non-profit, governed by a Board of Directors, with 1-10 employees, and has received the ASCHA Badge 2026 and Living Wage Employer certification.

Name

Norfolk Housing Association

Legal name

Norfolk Housing Association

Website

https://norfolkhousing.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Norfolk Housing Association is a Calgary-based non-profit founded in 1980 that operates six mixed-income rental properties (50% market rate, 50% rent-geared-to-income) in the Hillhurst-Sunnyside community, serving low- and moderate-income individuals, seniors, people with disabilities, and market renters without government operational funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Residential Property Managers (531311)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Multifamily Apartment Property Management (BPAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Community housing provider
• Rent-geared-to-income housing
• Mixed-income housing
• Non-profit residential rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Residential Rents (Market Rate): NHA generates revenue from market-rate rental units in their six properties. Market renters pay competitive rents in the area for similar units, with a requirement that rent does not exceed 30% of monthly income.
2. Residential Rents (Rent-Geared-to-Income): RGI units allow qualifying residents to pay 30-40% of their income towards rent, with NHA subsidizing the remaining amount. This creates a tiered housing model that cross-subsidizes affordable housing.
3. Commercial Space Rents: NHA operates commercial spaces at full market price in the Kensington area, which helps support the organization's financial sustainability and cross-subsidize affordable housing operations.
4. Capital and Project Grants: NHA receives one-time capital or community-based project grants that enhance capacity to maintain quality housing, though the organization does not rely on government funding for ongoing operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Norfolk Housing Association operates six residential properties in Calgary's Hillhurst-Sunnyside communities offering a 50/50 mixed-income housing model that combines market-rate apartments and rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units. The portfolio includes bachelor, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units, supplemented by market-rate commercial spaces that cross-subsidize affordable housing operations. NHA also delivers community programs such as the Calgary Dollars community currency initiative and Community Cupboards that supply basic necessities to residents and neighbors.

Product overview

Norfolk Housing Association is a non-profit housing provider offering mixed-income housing through a 50/50 model combining market-rate and rent-geared-to-income units across six properties in Calgary's Hillhurst-Sunnyside community. The portfolio includes bachelor, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom residential units, supplemented by commercial spaces at market rates that support operational sustainability. NHA also provides community programs including the Calgary Dollars community currency system and community cupboards for basic necessities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mixed-Income Housing Portfolio
• Market-Rate Housing Units
• Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing
• Commercial Spaces
• Calgary Dollars Community Currency Program
• Community Cupboards

Quantifiable outcome

• Subsidy cost of $3,000-$6,000 per household per year vs. $87,000/year government cost for unhoused individuals
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Calgary DollarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalgary Dollars is a community currency program that allows residents to earn and spend local currency within the community. NHA residents earned 156 honorariums through the program, with over C$6,500 applied to rent alone and over C$1,000 exchanged directly between neighbours. The program strengthens community connection and financial resilience.
• Calgary Stampede Promotion CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Stampede Breakfast sponsorship and participation, bringing community together through cultural and entertainment events.
• Bridge to Home (Accessible Housing)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with Bridge to Home team from Accessible Housing for volunteer support at community events.
• Arusha CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing specialized community services and programming to residents.
• Kensington Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership supporting local business district initiatives and community development in Kensington area.
• Local Kensington BusinessesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnerships with local businesses including InGear, The Beehive, Trend Fashions, Myo Lab Health and Wellness, Osteria Chef's Table, F45 Training, Kensington Safeway, Desjardins Insurance, Aggudo Coffee, and Deville Coffee for event sponsorship and community support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• The Mustard Seed: Calgary and Alberta-wide non-profit providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and meal programs. Adjacent peer in the Calgary affordable housing and homelessness-services sector, competing for similar donor and municipal funding pools.
• Inn from the Cold: Calgary-based non-profit delivering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and family housing programs. Comparable Calgary non-profit focused on housing-insecure residents; adjacent rather than direct because its model is shelter/transitional rather than long-term mixed-income.
• YWCA Calgary: Calgary non-profit providing housing, shelter, and supportive services — including affordable rental units — for women, families, and youth. Adjacent peer in the Calgary non-profit housing ecosystem with overlapping resident populations and government funding sources.
• Wood's Homes Foundation: Calgary non-profit providing residential mental-health and family support programs, including transitional housing. Overlaps with Norfolk's mission in serving vulnerable Calgary residents, but focused on youth/family services rather than long-term mixed-income housing.

Direct peers

• HomeSpace Society: Calgary-based non-profit housing operator that builds and operates affordable rental units for families and individuals. Comparable in operating model (non-profit, mixed-income, inner-city Calgary), and competes for the same affordable housing capital and tenant pool.
• Accessible Housing Calgary (Bridge to Home / AHC): Calgary non-profit providing accessible and affordable rental housing, including for persons with disabilities. Listed as a Norfolk partner via "Bridge to Home" and competes in the same subsidized inner-city rental niche.
• Calgary Housing Company: City of Calgary-owned affordable housing provider operating one of the largest portfolios of subsidized and near-market rental units in the region. Directly comparable as a Calgary-based mixed-income rental operator serving low-to-moderate income residents in inner-city and suburban neighbourhoods.
• Habitat for Humanity Calgary: Local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity focused on affordable homeownership and rental options for lower-income Calgarians. Comparable as a mission-driven non-profit housing provider in the same market, competing for grants, donations, and city partnerships.

Regional players

• Tri-City Affordable Housing Society (Now Housing): Non-profit operating mixed-income rental housing in Metro Vancouver. Operates a market/subsidized cross-subsidy model broadly similar to Norfolk's 50/50 design, providing a Canadian peer benchmark in a different regional market.
• Capital Region Housing Corporation: Edmonton-region non-profit that owns and operates a large portfolio of affordable and near-market rental housing across the Edmonton metropolitan area. Comparable as an Alberta mixed-income non-profit housing provider, but serves a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/norfolk-housing-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/norfolkhousing
• Xx.com/norfolkhousing
• Facebookfacebook.com/NorfolkHousingAssociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Norfolk Housing Association