Affordable Housing

The City of Edmonton had a goal to build 2500 affordable housing units by the end of 2022. A report presented to the Community and Public Services Committee on September 26, 2022 highlights that the investments made in affordable housing surpassed this goal and has supported the creation of 2,670 new units of affordable housing units.  

Housing exists on a spectrum and the investments were for the following: 

• 644 supportive housing units

• 297 deep subsidy 

• 1,779 below market 

While this is great news, as more was invested in the last 4 years than the previous decade, there is still much work that needs to be done. 

Here are some powerful words I heard from folks with lived experience:

“One thing that will make you feel human is having a stable place to stay.”

“My income doesn’t match my cost of living.” 

“To end poverty you have to end the high cost of living, of rent.” 

“Being an immigrant, once you fall it's hard to get back up.”

“We deserve to have security, health, and love.”

Currently 49,215 Edmontonians are in ‘core housing need’ based on census data. By 2026, 59,403 households are anticipated to be in core housing need. Of these approximately 39,425 will require rent levels at less than $1,125 and 2,950 will require rent at less than $375. Action is needed to address the shortage and widening gap.

An updated housing strategy is being developed for Council approval in 2023. Based on voices from folks with lived/ living experience and data-informed, this strategy will focus on renter households, autonomy and self-determination, accessibility, affordability, and barriers such as discrimination. What is clear is this is not a problem we can build ourselves out of and will require creative solutions to address growing housing needs. I’m looking forward to seeing a plan that keeps us on track to address housing while being nimble and adaptive to various factors and circumstances that will create dignity for all.