IslamicFamily Breaks Ground on 96-Unit Affordable Housing Project in Northwest Edmonton

In a major milestone for community-led urban development, construction has officially begun on the Diamond of Dunluce, an innovative affordable housing initiative in northwest Edmonton designed to address the severe shortage of homes for large and multi-generational families.

The project marks a defining step forward for IslamicFamily, a community-based social services organization that has served vulnerable Edmontonians for over 40 years.

Having spent decades on the front lines providing eviction prevention, newcomer settlement support, and emergency relief, the non-profit is expanding its mission from helping families secure shelter to directly building permanent, dignified homes.

Developed in partnership with Vivid Homes, Build Edmonton Homes, and the Diamond of Dunluce development team, the site will feature 96 homes comprising 290 bedrooms.

Once completed, the multi-building development will house more than 300 residents at 365 Dunluce Road NW.

Designing for Families and Dignity

Across Canadian cities, the acute shortage of family-sized affordable housing routinely leaves larger households, multi-generational families, and newcomers with few viable options.

The Diamond of Dunluce directly tackles this gap by moving away from small, single-occupancy rental units in favor of spacious, family-oriented layouts.

The mixed-income community offers one- to four-bedroom townhome configurations, featuring family-sized basements, bright communal spaces, and flexible areas suited for growing families or elder care.

Barrier-free, wheelchair-accessible suites have been integrated on the main floor to ensure aging relatives and residents with mobility challenges can live comfortably within an inclusive neighborhood.

Under the partnership agreement, half of the homes will be maintained at least 20 percent below market rent for a minimum of 40 years, guaranteeing long-term affordability and security for local families.

The project also incorporates BuiltGreen-certified, low-carbon construction standards designed to maximize energy efficiency and curb utility expenses for working households.

A Model of Multi-Sector Collaboration

The groundbreaking represents a collective effort uniting grassroots community leadership, private industry expertise, and municipal and provincial support.

Project leaders highlighted the backing of the City of Edmonton, the Government of Alberta, and the surrounding Dunluce neighbourhood in bringing the project from the drawing board to active construction.

While rooted in IslamicFamily’s ethos of compassion, stewardship, and shared responsibility, the Diamond of Dunluce is non-denominational and open to Edmontonians of all backgrounds.

In a message sent to supporters, organizers expressed gratitude for the milestone, describing a safe, stable home as the bedrock of family well-being and social mobility, and praying that the project serves as an enduring source of security, stability, and peace for generations to come.

Construction is now underway, with ongoing project updates and registration for future residents accessible at housingprosperity.ca.