City Releases Housing Needs Assessment Report

The City of St. Albert completed a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) to support the development of the Affordable Housing Strategy in response to demographic change and evolving housing pressures. The completion of the Housing Needs Assessment also responds to a new requirement for grant funding from Federal infrastructure and housing programs. 

The purpose of the Housing Needs Assessment is to provide an understanding of St. Albert’s housing needs, including present and future housing demand, characteristics of the existing housing supply and affordability challenges across all housing types in the community. 

“The data in the Housing Needs Assessment provides a critical foundation for the development of the upcoming Affordable Housing Strategy, which will help guide municipal decision-making, investment and partnerships over the next decade,” says Scott Olivieri, Mayor, City of St. Albert. “This broader analysis examines vulnerable population groups, identifies key housing gaps, and highlights future pressures — all of which are essential to planning for the City’s continued growth.”

The assessment includes demographic and economic trends, market conditions, affordability measures and lived experience. Engagements were held with key stakeholders throughout April and May. 

Four key housing insights and gaps identified the following needs:

• Ownership Housing: Diverse range of ownership housing options at varying price points.
•  Rental Housing: Increased supply of non-market affordable purpose-built rental units in a range of sizes.
•  Housing for all Life Stages: Range of dwelling sizes to suitably house residents at various life stages.
•  Non-Market Housing: Increase in non-market housing supply for all ages and abilities including senior’s’ housing.

The Housing Needs Assessment will inform future priorities and is required to be updated every five years going forward. The Affordable Housing Strategy will be developed over the coming months. To learn more visit Housing Needs Assessment.

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