The latest data published in The City of Calgary’s 2023 Housing Needs Assessment shows that an increasing number of Calgarians are struggling with housing affordability.

The findings highlight the current housing crisis is affecting Calgarians looking to buy or rent a home, and those that are in greatest need of affordable housing supports.

• The number of households in housing need in 2021 was 84,600 an increase of 4,600 from the 2018 Housing Needs Assessment. This represents nearly 1 in 5 Calgary households who cannot afford their housing. Based on the current market housing conditions, it is expected that the numbers in 2023 are even higher. 
• Of Calgary's 84,600 households in housing need...
  • 81% Are single and two-persons
  • 56% Experience difficulties or long-term challenges
  • 63% Non-racialized
  • 32% Racialized
  • 4.5% Indigenous
  • 70% Working age
  • 23% Seniors
  • 7% Youth
  • 10% Recent immigrants and non-permanent residents
     
• Based on recent market housing data, the median cost to buy a detached home has increased in price by 37% in the last three years.
• For Calgarians looking to buy their first detached home in 2023, an annual household income of $156,000 is required to adequately afford it, meaning they would not be spending more than 30 per cent of their income before tax on housing.
• To adequately afford the median purchase cost of an apartment in 2023, an annual household income of $70,800 is needed for that new home-buyer.
• For those looking to rent, an annual income of $84,000 is needed to adequately afford average market rent in 2023. That number has increased from $67,000 in 2022.

The Housing Needs Assessment report identifies present and future affordable housing requirements in Calgary.

Published every five years, the information in the assessment helps The City to create affordable housing policies. It also helps The City plan its work with housing providers who build new developments and with other orders of government who fund them.

The Housing Needs Assessment uses quantitative data from the Federal Census, The City of Calgary Corporate Economics and Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation.

To tell a more robust and comprehensive story about housing need in Calgary, this report also includes qualitative data from the perspective of affordable housing providers, operators, and organizations that assist with housing placements.