Frequently Asked Questions

While we were able to obtain some information on residents, building operations, and maintenance needs from the Government of Alberta and the former operator, this information was limited. Therefore, we’re in the process of gathering personal information and details about your tenancy for our records. We will not share your personal information with third parties.

For now, please hang on to your them and keep them handy. We will let you know when and where to submit these documents.

We have scheduled resident meetings in all new buildings in April. We will post notices in common areas and on bulletin boards alerting you of our next meeting date.

Silvera has been operating seniors’ housing in Calgary since 1962 and we have operating procedures and processes in place that work. Before the recent expansion, we had 28 buildings with more than 1,800 residents. With the new buildings added on April 1, 2025, we have 36 buildings with more than 2,330 residents.

We will draw on our existing policies and procedures to ensure our new residents receive consistent, competent and respectful service.  We receive high satisfaction rates on our annual resident surveys and we’ve won Postmedia’s Readers’ Choice Award for seniors’ housing in Calgary for the last four years.

Most of Silvera’s independent living buildings have a community manager and building operator who oversee more than one property. We’re focused on ensuring we have the right people in place to maintain Silvera’s high standards for both management and maintenance. We’re committed to regularly evaluating and adjusting our approach as needed.

Yes. At Silvera, we treat every building in our portfolio with the same processes, procedures, respect, compassion, and professionalism.

Your community management team is committed to earning your trust through respect and responsiveness. Communication is key. We will communicate with residents in a variety of ways, including in-person meetings, letters, emails, posters, newsletters, Silvera’s website, and social media.

We’re open to ideas about how to do things differently and we’re keen to earn your trust. Let us know what you think will work. Innovation is one of our values. Send your feedback to Vinod Nirwal, Property Manager, at [email protected].

We need to review the existing rules for your bulletin board before we confirm whether there will be any changes. Specific rules may be implemented by your community management team.

On April 1, 2025, we provided all residents with a maintenance number to call. Alternatively, feel free to send your maintenance concerns to [email protected].

We need your help putting together a list of issues. Please report your concerns to us even if you already reported them to Trinity. We are expecting an influx of reports after April 1. We plan to prioritize issues based on the level of urgency. We will provide each resident with a form and contact information to help us collect this information.

All communities have either contractors or Silvera staff responsible for the clearance of snow on sidewalks and in parking lots.

Snow removal is carried out within 24 hours after the snow stops falling. In the event of heavy snowfall, there may be occasions when the crew struggles to get to the community within the noted time frame.

Please make us aware of any concerns in this regard. We will send exterminators to determine what it will take to solve it.

We will cover the cost for most drain blockages, but some charges may apply if the resident is disposing of inappropriate items. In addition, there would be a small fee for changes to locks at the request of the resident or for the replacement of lost fobs.

We will conduct an audit of the security of all buildings. We will put the necessary protection in place to ensure residents feel safe. Your safety and security are important to us. You can rest assured that elevators will be equipped with an emergency call button.

Where appropriate, we will consider the installation of security cameras or door alarms. That said, we ask that you lock your door when you leave your suite as Silvera is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We do our utmost to provide a secure community.

Please know that all Silvera staff and volunteers have completed and passed a security clearance check.

We will post and maintain a sign at your muster point. In addition, we are required to include a list of tenants who need assistance with evacuation in the fire box at each building.

As a non-profit organization, Calgarians have trusted Silvera to provide a diverse selection of housing with services and supports for independent older adults with differing levels of income since 1962. We do not offer health care, but many Silvera residents receive home care through Alberta Health Services.

Prior to April 1, 2025, Silvera’s portfolio consists of 1,800 units in 28 supportive living and independent living communities in all four quadrants of the city. Following the Government of Alberta’s portfolio expansion, Silvera’s portfolio will consist of 2,330 units in 36 buildings.

Silvera’s mixed-income strategy allows revenues generated from competitive mid-market suites to support the sustainability of the organization. This includes increasing the volume of affordable housing and reducing Silvera’s reliance on government funding. In addition to our traditional communities that offer affordable, income-indexed suites, we have designated a portion or all the suites in some of our buildings to be available to rent at market rates. This mixed-market housing strategy is not new for the organization..

Independent living refers to a self-contained seniors’ apartment. There are no meals, no weekly housekeeping and no leisure programs. We offer all those services in our eight supportive living buildings. Residents in independent living must be able to manage their daily needs and activities, including shopping, meal preparation and cleaning. Residents can access maintenance on call 24-hours/day for urgent needs and can access a community manager or resident support coordinator on business days.

All residents received a resident handbook on April 1, 2025, that includes information about Silvera’s policies and procedures as well as contact information. An online version is available below:

Independent Living Resident Handbook

We provide all residents with a magnet that includes the contact information for your maintenance concerns for your community. Someone will be available to take your call 24 hours a day in case of emergency. Urgent calls will be handled immediately. Other calls will be prioritized accordingly.

If you have other concerns, please discuss them with your community management. Your community management may provide advice, resolution or, alternatively, refer the matter to Silvera’s main office for support. Depending on the nature of the concern, we may ask for it in writing. In all Silvera communities there is a confidential comment card box. We receive and address concerns from all residents in a confidential and respectful manner. These concerns may not always be resolved to your satisfaction, but we strive to ensure fairness and accountability.

Silvera expects to receive the security deposits for each resident and hold them as security deposits on your suite.  As soon as we receive the fund, Silvera will provide you with confirmation of the amount received on your behalf.

Silvera’s smoking policy and guidelines surrounding alcohol consumption are outlined in your resident handbook. For your convenience, here is the wording in the handbook:

Smoke-Free Policy
Due to the irritation and documented health risks of exposure to smoke and second-hand smoke, increased risk of fire, increased maintenance, cleaning and redecorating costs, all forms of smoking are prohibited in all Silvera communities. The ban on smoking includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaping (e-cigarettes), marijuana, or any other tobacco product, marijuana product or vaping product.
 
Smoking will be permitted in designated outdoor areas that comply with the City of Calgary’s smoking bylaw. The bylaw ensures that smoking is at least five metres away from any windows, entrances, exits or air intakes. Cigarette butts must be safely disposed in designated receptacles in the smoking areas to prevent fires. Please note that oxygen tanks are not permitted in the smoking areas for safety reasons.
 
The smoke-free policy applies to all residents and their guests. Residents are responsible for informing their guests of Silvera’s smoke-free policy and making sure that they comply with it. Failing to comply is considered a serious breach and may result in the termination of your tenancy. If you are interested in smoking cessation programs to help you stop smoking, please contact your physician, healthcare provider or pharmacy provider.
 
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol purchased off site is permitted within your suite, however it cannot be consumed in common areas, or on exterior Silvera property. Silvera’s expectation is that you be responsible in your consumption of alcohol and your choices do not impact others. Independent living communities are not licensed for special events. If you are holding a special event where alcohol may be served, you may require a special event liquor license and the alcohol purchased at these events must be consumed in the common area where they were purchased.

Regarding progressive discipline, we ask all residents to follow a few rules and regulations, which include:

i. Smoking in designated areas outdoors only
ii. Paying your rent on time.
iii. Not doing anything illegal.
iv. Keeping your suite clean and safe.
v. Preventing damage to any part of the Silvera property.
vi. Practicing respect and being a good community citizen to your neighbours. Harassment, abuse and violence, either verbal or physical, towards other residents, staff, guests, volunteers, or contractors of Silvera will not be tolerated.

Failure to follow the above rules and regulations may result in an eviction. These conditions will be clearly outlined in your lease agreement to ensure there are no surprises.

Silvera does not provide or arrange for insurance on behalf of tenants. We have always recommended that residents carry personal contents insurance and adequate general liability insurance. We encourage new residents to have their own policies in place for the period starting on April 1, 2025.

Every community and building is unique. Internet and cable access will be assessed. We will communicate with residents in each building once we have a plan.

Silvera does not offer Life, Learning and Leisure activities for residents in independent living. These services are offered as part of Silvera’s supportive living offering. We encourage independent living residents to set up resident councils to help create a sense of community. Silvera is prepared to work with residents to form resident councils for the collective good of the community. Silvera is prepared to provide tables for activities and puzzles and games as deemed appropriate.

We would be pleased to help you make arrangements with a third party to pick up your bottles.

We have no immediate plans to change your laundry offerings. As a result, if you have a laundry card system in your building you will be able to retain it. At some point, we will review the laundry offerings in each building and consider the merits of consistency with the laundry offerings in Silvera’s other buildings.