Alberta increases funding for subsidized housing

The province offered an update Tuesday on new funding aimed at strengthening Alberta's affordable housing system.

The Alberta government says it's giving money to 48 housing providers that run community housing, and $21 million of that is new money. Jason Nixon, Minister for Older People, Communities and Social Services, outlined the commitment as part of the 2024 Budget.

“Alberta is announcing a historic $21 million increase in operating funding to help housing providers manage their daily rising costs,” he said. “This is an increase of nearly 40 percent over the 2023 budget and brings total funding to approximately $75 million in the 2024-25 budget.”

He said the funds will help four dozen low-income housing providers build more homes and deal with costs.

“Our housing providers can use that money to support their hard-working staff, cover utilities and maintenance, and cover costs associated with unit turnover — processing applications and managing waiting lists,” Nixon said. “These are critical operations and services that we simply cannot turn back.”

Right now, more than 110,000 Albertans live in more than 60,000 government-subsidized homes, and Nixon says demand is growing rapidly as the cost of living rises.

After the government's announcement, Alberta NDP housing critic Janice Irwin repeated her calls for a rent cap.

“Minister Jason Nixon and the UCP refuse to listen to the facts and listen to Albertans when making decisions that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of people in our province,” he said in a statement. “Bill 205's proposed temporary rent cap would provide immediate relief to Albertans who are at risk of price increases from their current homes, but Minister Nixon has refused to listen to their pleas.”

Citing Vancouver and Toronto as examples, Irwin continued that there is no evidence that rents reduce supply or slow construction.

He added that Nixon would “refuse” to raise rents if necessary.

He acknowledged at the time of the announcement that the funding did not include rent.

“We need more housing in the province. We also need to keep people in their current homes and help them avoid the steep national rent increases that Alberta renters are facing.” Irwin said. “The Premier's petty spats with the federal government will further exacerbate the housing crisis by denying municipalities the ability to effectively negotiate for the needs of their communities. The minister was elected to work for Albertans, not prevent access to something they desperately need, housing.”