Calgary’s housing affordability has been a competitive advantage – but we risk seeing this advantage quickly eroding very quickly without acting now. Some large Canadian cities have seen the crush of housing unaffordability contribute to catastrophic results. Calgary has an opportunity to proactively take measures to make our city an affordable place to live.
Last year, Council approved the launch of the Housing and Affordability Task Force. The Task Force is returning to Council today with six recommendations and 33 actions that it has determined will help address Calgary’s housing and affordability challenges.
Calgarians have repeatedly expressed through the Citizen Satisfaction Survey that housing is a top priority.
The Task Force has developed six recommendations with key actions to address housing affordability challenges in Calgary. The recommendations seek to create three distinct outcomes:
• Increase and diversify the supply of housing. Boost development by 1000 more market homes beyond what is normally built in a year, and at least 3000 non-market affordable homes a year.
• Strengthen the housing sector to support partner collaboration and foster a greater impact than if they were to act alone.
• Improve living conditions for people in rental housing.