About Edmonton’s Urban Manor Housing Society
Over 40 Years of Serving the Edmonton Community:
The History of the Edmonton Urban Manor Housing Society.
In the summer of 1981, a need for a “Food and Shelter” facility within the inner city of Edmonton was recognized. Through the cooperation and dedication of many inner city agencies, local residents of the area and Alberta Family and Social Services, a proposal for such a facility was submitted to the Minister for approval.
A special Alberta Society was formed, and on March 1, 1982, Urban House, opened their doors to provide shelter for “Hard to House” clientele of Edmonton’s inner city. In the spring of 1984 a more appropriate facility became necessary, and on July 1, 1984, Urban Manor officially opened.
Mission Statement:
To provide shelter and housing for all in need for whom there is no other facility immediately available or for whom there is no appropriate facility.
Urban Manor Housing Society is a non-profit organization
We are a team. The Urban Manor Housing Society is administered by a Board of Directors consisting of no less than six members.
The Board of Directors has elected a Chairperson. Our Chairperson together with the other Board Members, is responsible for the overall operation of Urban Manor Housing Society and for appointing an Executive Director of Urban Manor Housing Society.
All members of the Urban Manor Board function in a non-remunerative and voluntary capacity. The structure and function of the Board of Directors is outlined in our Board Manual.
“URBAN HOUSE” opened on March 1, 1982, in a temporary space as a result of the hard work of inner city agencies and residents as well as social services and community health.
The Spirit and Philosophy of Edmonton’s Urban Manor Housing Society
Every stated goal and activity of Urban Manor Housing Society, derives its meaning and life from its fundamental spirit. It is crucial and absolutely necessary that everyone involved, grow to understand, appreciate and implement this spirit, in all activities at Urban Manor Housing Society.
The more unity of spirit there is, the greater success there will be for those in our care. The spirit and life force of Urban Manor Housing Society, is the spirit of true life.
- It is the spirit of gentleness, kindness, compassion and brotherly love. It is non-judgmental and non-condemnatory.
- It is the spirit that sees into the very heart of the pain and suffering of people and holds out its hand of love. Its justice is always tempered by mercy and forgiveness. This spirit is one of service and surrenders to the needs of others.
- It does not exploit, use or manipulate. It is a spirit of unselfishness, always moving to unite, reconcile and make peace.
- It is the spirit of Abraham, of Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. It is the great spirit of our ancestors.
- It is the fire of love that becomes a flame in our hearts. It overcomes fear and hostility, inspiring us to work toward unity and peace.
- It is universal and everlasting.
- In spite of the obvious chaos and social upheaval in our world today, this spirit renews and saves us from despair and illusion.
- It never gives up.
- Such hope springs eternal in the human heart. It is not enslaved by the -isms and cultic aberrations of our day.
- It respects science, reason and the mind of men, but it is not determined by any of them.
- It is the spirit of wisdom that transcends all human knowledge.
- It integrates all truth in serving and dignity of each person.
- It is a free spirit, enslaved by nothing, yet a loving servant of all.
Such a spirit liberates and makes us look at one another as brothers and sisters residing in one human family under God.
This is the fundamental spirit and guiding philosophy of Urban Manor Housing Society.
Our purpose is to provide shelter for hard-to-house men and for those with nowhere else to go in the inner city.
The Urban Manor is a three-story building located at 9524 – 104 Avenue and houses approximately seventy-five adult males. Our residence is staffed twenty-four hours a day 365 days a year.
The Current Housing Society Building Opened on July 9, 2002.
It is the first facility designed specifically to manage the unique needs of Urban Manor’s clientele, and the first to be owned by the Urban Manor Housing Society.
Funded by the provincial government, we are a charitable organization that can issue tax receipts for donations. Every dollar we receive goes towards funding this project.
All donations help us to take care of our residents. We are administered by the Urban Manor Housing Society, which has a board of directors, elected from the membership annually. Membership in the society is open to the Edmonton community.
Please contact us to make your donation, today.
Thank you for your continued support
With the support of our community, volunteers, and donors, we are able to help meet the needs of those we provide for.