A Pathway to Fixing the Affordable Housing Crisis in Alberta

Housing is an integral part of economic growth. Indeed, the connections between affordable housing investment and economic growth have been well recognized in literature. For example, in a recent report, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) identified that roughly 17 percent of the Canadian economy is generated through the construction, purchase, resale and renovation of housing and related spending, and yet investment in affordable housing is often absent from economic plans and job proposals. To ensure long-term community sustainability, local and regional economic development and growth plans must consider the role of affordable housing in the growing economy.

Housing affordability has been top of mind for people in Alberta. Affordable housing can encompass many things but for the purpose of this document it is defined as government supported housing available for Albertans, who because of financial, social or other circumstances, cannot afford private market rentals. Housing is considered ‘affordable’ when a household spends no more than 30% of its gross income on shelter.

1. Invest in existing housing assets to optimize the cost of housing operations.

2. Research, disseminate and support promising practices from other jurisdictions about how to facilitate innovative housing supply.

3. Work with municipal governments and local housing authorities to research and share promising practices to make better use of existing homes, buildings, and neighbourhoods to increase supply of housing.

4. Collaborate with municipal governments to invest in a “yes in my backyard” strategy to change public attitudes on new housing developments.

5. Assess publicly owned lands that could be deemed beneficial for affordable housing projects.