87 barrier-free and affordable units — built by volunteers, designed for independence.
“It’s somewhere you can be independent, but there is support staff when you need it.” — Rose Pike, founding member (1984)
Physical disability affecting mobility. Priority given to wheelchair users.
Support services plan assessed and in place if personal support is needed.
Meets GPRS income criteria and willing to enter a landlord-tenant agreement.
1987 — The first wheelchair-accessible housing north of Edmonton
These weren't apartments with a ramp added as an afterthought. Every detail was designed for the people who would live there. Pat Adams donated his expertise as an unpaid design consultant, and what he helped create was quietly historic: the first wheelchair-accessible housing built north of Edmonton.
The first residents moved in during August 1988. For many, it was the first time they had a home truly built for them — where cooking, bathing, and getting in your own front door could happen with dignity and independence.
"Having a home of your own gives you a piece of independence. You have your own home."
1994 — Expanding to meet growing demand
Demand grew. The duplexes were full and the waitlist was getting longer, so the Society built a six-unit complex right next door at 9609–123 Avenue. It featured ground-level automatic entrances, shared accessible laundry, and a built-in vacuum system — small details that made a real difference in daily life. In the early 2000s, a seventh suite was added and the building became known as the 7-Plex.
2005 — Accessible and affordable housing, together
Margaret Edgson was a Grande Prairie advocate who believed people with disabilities should live as part of the community — not apart from it. Her estate contributed $150,000 to what would become the Society's largest project.
In 2005, Margaret Edgson Manor opened as a 70-unit complex: 16 fully barrier-free, wheelchair-accessible suites and 54 affordable housing units. It was developed in partnership with the City of Grande Prairie's Global Housing Initiative — a unique model that brought accessible and affordable housing together under one roof. The building operates sustainably, without ongoing government operational funding.
On June 9, 2025, a fire severely damaged the building, displacing over 70 residents. Thanks to first responders, no lives were lost. The building is now being rebuilt to updated building codes.
"Margaret Edgson believed that people with disabilities should live as part of the community — not apart from it."
