Calgary’s Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy
Introduction
Affordable housing is foundational to creating prosperous, inclusive communities. In Calgary, a growing housing deficit exacerbates economic and social challenges, impacting thousands of low-income households. With more than 88,000 households spending over 30% of their income on shelter, the need for a comprehensive strategy is critical. The Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy 2016-2025 addresses these challenges by establishing a robust framework to expand Calgary’s affordable housing capacity and improve outcomes for its residents.
Calgary’s Housing Challenges
The private housing market serves 78% of Calgary’s population, leaving 22% of households to navigate unaffordable or inadequate housing conditions. Of these, approximately 19% struggle with housing costs, with 15,000 households earning less than $20,000 annually and spending more than half their income on shelter. This persistent housing crisis has driven homelessness rates to over 3,500 people on any given night.
A significant factor is Calgary’s lag in non-market housing, which represents only 3% of households compared to the national average of 6%. The city currently requires 15,000 new affordable housing units to meet national standards, a figure projected to rise to 22,000 by 2025 due to population growth. The mounting housing deficit highlights the urgent need for strategic investments and policy interventions.
The Role of the City
The City of Calgary plays a pivotal role in addressing affordable housing needs through several key functions:
- Delivering new housing projects.
- Regulating planning and zoning policies.
- Enabling development through incentives and land provision.
- Partnering with non-profits and private entities.
- Leveraging federal and provincial funding.
- Owning and operating housing portfolios.
To meet its affordable housing goals, Calgary aims to enhance intergovernmental collaboration, leverage city-owned land, and integrate affordable housing into broader municipal projects.
Strategic Objectives
The Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy outlines six objectives designed to transform Calgary’s housing landscape:
- Get the Community Building: By streamlining planning and approval processes, the City facilitates the development of affordable housing by non-profits and private providers. Programs such as predevelopment grants and fee rebates encourage timely project completion.
- Leverage City Land: The City’s strategic use of land—selling below market value or donating for affordable housing projects—amplifies community benefits. Initiatives like the Accessible Housing program demonstrate the long-term advantages of land ownership for non-profits.
- Design and Build New City Units: With tenant-centred designs, the City models innovative, inclusive housing developments that integrate seamlessly into neighbourhoods. Projects like the Sunnyside Triangle prioritize access to public transit, amenities, and vibrant community spaces.
- Regenerate City-Owned Properties: Aging city-owned properties, averaging 33 years old, require substantial reinvestment. By modernizing these units with energy-efficient upgrades and improved infrastructure, the City ensures their long-term viability and supports vulnerable populations.
- Strengthen Intergovernmental Partnerships: Collaboration with federal and provincial governments is essential to align policies and funding. Recent commitments, such as the federal $2.3 billion affordable housing budget, highlight opportunities for joint initiatives to expand housing capacity.
- Improve the Housing System: A more cohesive housing ecosystem involves eliminating service silos, enhancing coordination among stakeholders, and implementing client-focused solutions like centralized intake processes. Partnerships, such as those with the Calgary Police Service, extend support services to affordable housing residents.
Outcomes and Benefits of Affordable Housing Strategy
Affordable housing yields significant economic and social advantages. It reduces pressure on emergency services, alleviates poverty, and fosters community stability. Each billion dollars invested in housing generates $1.4 billion in economic activity and up to 13,000 jobs. Moreover, affordable housing strengthens local economies by boosting residents’ purchasing power and providing businesses with a stable workforce.
Socially, affordable housing ensures access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Programs like the RESOLVE Campaign, which raised $120 million to house 3,000 vulnerable Calgarians, underscore the transformative potential of collaborative efforts.
Implementation and Vision for 2025 for Affordable Housing Strategy
The strategy’s implementation relies on adaptive plans aligned with Calgary’s business cycles and evolving federal and provincial policies. By 2025, Calgary aims to:
- Add sufficient non-market housing to meet 6% of household needs.
- Preserve or replace 1,048 social housing units.
- Expand mixed-use developments integrating affordable housing into vibrant communities.
The vision is a reimagined housing system where collaboration drives better outcomes for individuals and communities. Affordable housing is not just about shelter—it is a catalyst for opportunity, inclusion, and prosperity.
For further reading:
Calgary’s housing strategy