Growing up in Calgary Housing: Building a strong foundation

Courtney Cathcart grew up in Calgary Housing. He, along with his mom and brother, lived in a townhouse complex in the west end of the city. The family was able to access Calgary Housing when Courtney was two years old, and they lived in the same location until he was 14.

The complex had a nearby field where all the children would gather. It meant that Cathcart had access to a community of neighbours growing up who all looked out for each other.

“I loved my experience at Calgary Housing. It really allowed my mom to reset a bit, do some schooling, advance in her career,” Cathcart said.

Cathcart’s mom worked two to three jobs at a time while living in Calgary Housing and was also able to focus on her education. She worked her way up at Safeway and Canada Post, taking different roles and was able to save to be able to buy a house.

Through her example, she passed on the value of a strong work ethic and the importance of community.

“It created an environment for us to be able to succeed,” Cathcart said.

Living in Calgary Housing broadened Cathcart’s perspective and it shaped the path he’s taken since.

“For me, volunteerism is a big part of it,” he says.

“I loved my experience at Calgary Housing. It really allowed my mom to reset a bit, do some schooling, advance in her career,”

Courtney Cathcart

 Cathcart serves as the board chair for Vivo for Healthier Generations, a charity focused on creating healthier communities and generations in Calgary and beyond. He also serves as Rogers Communications’ director of government relations lead for the prairies, where he advocated for improved access to low cost internet services for people living on lower incomes.

Rogers Communications now has a partnership with the City of Calgary’s Fair Entry program.

“It’s my experience [in Calgary Housing] that has me contemplating how I make things better and more supportive for people that need a hand,” Cathcart says.

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