New Horizon has been operating in inner-city neighborhoods since 1995. Founded by two new immigrants with a strong commitment to supporting the settlement and housing needs of refugees and newcomers, the enterprise began with a mission rooted in compassion and community service. Over time, its work expanded to include supporting housing needs for Indigenous communities in the inner city.
New Horizon has evolved into a solid and reputable social enterprise specializing in small-scale construction, renovation, and property management. In recent years, the enterprise has expanded into real estate investment, with a focus on renovating and restoring abandoned houses in the inner city.
New Horizon Social Enterprise operates under the umbrella of IIMAN Associates Canada, a non-profit organization, While IIMAN Associates is dedicated to holistic community development - addressing health, social and economic needs, New Horizon leads the organization’s efforts in delivering affordable and sustainable housing solutions and small-scale social enterprises for vulnerable communities.
As Social Enterprise, New Horizon is designed to generate revenue through small-scale enterprises including construction, renovation, property management, services enterprises. The proceeding from these enterprises are reinvested to fund the broader mission of IIMAN Associates Canada, enabling a continued support for vulnerable populations through housing, health, and social programs.
Welcome to New Horizon Social Enterprise
Our Mission
A vibrant, inclusive inner city communities where every individual—regardless of background or circumstance—has access to safe and affordable housing, meaningful employment, and opportunities to thrive.
Our Vision
To empower marginalized and vulnerable individuals in Edmonton’s inner city through sustainable employment, skills development, and affordable housing solutions — fostering economic independence, community revitalization, and social inclusion..
Inner-City Housing Matters
problem Statement
In recent years, Edmonton has experienced the largest influx of newcomers in its history, with an estimated 66,800 new residents arriving in a single year 2023. This growth has been largely driven by international migration, which accounts for over 65% of total arrivals.
The business plan outlines our strategic vision, service offering, financial model, and operational framework required to build a sustainable and impactful organization. Its intended to guide internal decision-making, establishing a framework for growth and demonstrating a feasibility and readiness to potential partners, grant-makers, investors, and community stakeholders.
The majority of newcomers to Edmonton are settling in inner-city neighborhoods, which are increasingly becoming hubs for poverty, unemployment, crime and homelessness concentration. These areas are characterized by low-cost housing, limited economic opportunities, and a high concentration of marginalized communities including visible minorities and indigenous people who previously settled in the same neighborhoods. This pattern of urban concentration is driven by affordability and ethnic enclaves attraction but has also contributed to pockets of deep poverty, overcrowded housing, and limited access to employment and support services.
Key Challenges
Inner-city neighborhoods are facing a complex set of interrelated challenges that disproportionately impact newcomers, visible minorities, and low-income residents. These include:
Lack of affordable housing - high rental prices compared to stagnant or low-income, long waiting list for subsidized housing or social housing.
Overcrowding and substandard living conditions - families forced to share small space due to the high cost and poorly maintained units with mold and pests.
Homelessness and housing instability - high concentration of homelessness people, crime and poverty
Displacement and gentrification - redevelopment and rising property values push out visible minorities and poor people.
Concentration of poverty and social challenges - high crime rates, social stigma and poor quality of infrastructure.
Inner-City Housing Matters
Opportunities
Inner-city neighborhoods provide practical, accessible, and welcoming environment for new immigrants and refugees who do not own a car. With the proximity to public transit, services, and community resources, these areas offer crucial starting point for individuals and families as they rebuild their lives in Edmonton.
Key benefits for new immigrants, include:
Access to transit - well connected bus and train routes make it easier to get to work, schools and appointments.
Walkable neighborhoods - many essential such are as grocery, schools, clinics are within walking distance.
Cultural diversity - newcomers find comfort and community in neighborhoods where they are surrounded by people with similar background and cultures.
Affordable living - provide more rental options for newcomers with limited income or employment.
Service hub - settlement agencies, employment services, health clinics are often concentrated in central locations.
Solutions
New Horizon Social Enterprise promotes the following actions to improve the housing conditions and the quality of living standard.
Revitalizing and maintaining existing housing stock by rehabilitating aging properties, converting abandoned public building into apartment units.
Enforce property maintenance standard to ensure safe, health, and livable conditions
Enact and enforce stronger rent control and evictions.
Support community-led non-market solutions such as social enterprise housing, land trusts and non-profit housing providers
Utilize vacant and underused properties out visible minorities and poor people.
Integrating housing with other social support programs.
Fixing broken window - visible signs like broken windows, graffiti, or litter often leads to crime and sense of insecurity.