Progress of the Housing Strategy
Implementation for The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy launched in 2024. See the progress being made on the Strategy's key measures of success.
Jump to each outcome below
Outcome 1: Increase the supply of housing to meet demand and increase affordability
Number of New Market Homes
With around 6,100 market homes, including secondary suites receiving development permit (DP) approval, Q3 2025 maintains an elevated momentum since the beginning of the year, surpassing the previous two quarters. This represents a temporary decrease of 14% compared to Q3 2024. However, the cumulative number between Q1 and Q3 2025 surpassed that of 2024. Demand for housing in Calgary is expected to remain relatively solid for the foreseeable future as the population continues to rise.
The number of market homes receiving building permit (BP) approval was 5727 in Q3, a decrease of 13% year-over-year. Despite this, current approval activity is near record-level over the past three years. The elevated trend indicates sustained demand and investment for residential projects to materialize on the ground.
There is a target for 1,000 more market homes over what would normally be built per year. The baseline target for DP is 13,000 units per year and for BP is 14,000. In 2024, the number of proposed units for both were well above these baseline targets.
Number of New Non-Market Homes
Following record approvals in 2024, the cumulative number of new non-market homes receiving development permit (DP) approval in Q1-Q3 2025 is equivalent to 71% of that of 2024 in the same timeframe, suggesting we are on pace for the 2025 total.
As projects move from the DP phase to the building permit (BP) phase, the number of homes moving into the construction phase has also risen. Within Q1-Q3 2025, the cumulative number of 298 homes is a record high for this point in the year at 146% over 2024.
Even with the substantial increase over previous years, the creation of non-market units remains well below the target of 3,000 units per year. More action is needed to sustain the investment and collective effort in achieving this goal.
There is an ambitious target for 3,000 new non-market homes per year. The City is actively supporting non-marketing housing projects through strategic land and asset commitments, funding initiatives, land use policy changes, development incentives, and securing contributions from other orders of government.
Number of Development Approvals Expedited for Affordable Housing
In Q1-Q3 2025, The City of Calgary has expedited 11 development permit approvals for non-market housing projects that are expected to create up to 557 new non-market homes.
The number of homes proposed through expedited development permit issuance in this period is equivalent to 62% of the 2024 total.
This signals broader outreach and improved partnership with non-market housing providers being streamlined through the fast-track program.
Funding leveraged from other orders of government ($M)
Since 2020, The City has entered into funding agreements totaling over $300M in federal funding for housing. Since 2023 we’ve leveraged over $16M through the Provincial Government’s Affordable Housing Partnership Program.
Per cent of households that require affordable housing options
Housing need in Calgary has remained relatively constant between 17-18 per cent since 1991, however the absolute number of households in need has doubled as the population has grown. Considering Calgary’s market housing conditions, particularly increases in housing prices and rent, the current level of housing need is expected to be higher. However, this will not be determined until the next federal census in 2026.
Diversity of building forms (number of units completed for occupancy)
In Q1-Q3 2025, the number of homes completed and ready for occupancy continues to be strong. Overall, the housing market has already achieved 96% in completions when compared to the 2024 total.
Multi-residential (condominiums and apartments) as well as detached homes continue to comprise most of the new housing supply, accounting for 36% and 20% of the total to-date, respectively. Other types of homes, such as secondary suites, are seeing sustained and heightened investment in response to the incentive program to create safe and lower price point homes.
Rowhouses, townhomes and semi-detached homes are also increasing, helping to create homes at different price points.
There are several actions in the Housing Strategy that aim to increase the diversity of housing forms including rowhouses, townhomes and duplexes, so that Calgarians have choice and the increased supply can meet demand and ease on affordability.
Outcome 2: Support affordable housing providers to deliver services that make a positive impact
Funding Allocated to Advance Sector and Positive Outcomes ($M)
In 2024, The City will provide $81M in funding to support affordable housing providers and non-profits to increase supply, advance the sector and facilitate positive resident outcomes. This includes funding for the following programs:
- Home,
- Housing Incentive,
- Housing Land Fund,
- One-Window and
- Downtown Incentive.
Also $90M in capital funding has been allocated to support new affordable housing development throughout 2024-2026.
Number of programs delivered
In 2024, The City had six programs to support affordable housing providers to strengthen service delivery to Calgarians.
Number of research reports and platforms to convene the sector
The City delivered the Housing Needs Assessment research report which provided critical data points on the housing need and the severity of the housing crisis. The City also hosted a housing conference which provided opportunities for networking, partnership and the exchange of best practice ideas.
Outcome 3: Enable The City's housing subsidiaries to improve service delivery
Funding provided for development and redevelopment of City-owned housing assets ($M)
The City continues to provide funding for the creation of City-owned affordable housing projects. Funding is also allocated for maintenance to extend the life of existing City-owned affordable housing supply.
In 2024, The City allocated $29.6M for City-owned and CHC-owned affordable housing supply.
Actions to support this outcome are early in implementation. Data will be reported in future years on the following measures:
- The City's housing subsidiaries are successfully meeting their goals and stated targets within their respective Strategic Plans.
Outcome 4: Ensure diverse housing choice to meet the needs of equity-deserving populations
Actions to support this outcome are early in implementation. Data will be reported in future years on the following measures:
- Number of homes created or modified through City of Calgary programming to support the housing needs of equity-deserving populations.
- Amount of funding allocated to programs that reduce barriers and increase housing supports for equity-deserving populations.
- The proportion of equity-deserving households in housing need decreases over time.
Outcome 5: Address the affordable housing needs of Indigenous people living in Calgary.
Percentage of City land
Actions to support this outcome are early in implementation. Data will be reported in future years on the following measures:
- Number of new culturally relevant, affordable and supportive Indigenous homes created in Calgary.
- Percentage of City of Calgary land allocated to Indigenous housing providers as per the policy.
- Number of policy reforms to reduce barriers to building and operationalizing housing for Indigenous housing providers in Calgary.
- The proportion of Indigenous People living in Calgary facing housing need and homelessness decreases over time.
In 2024, The City awarded two Indigenous non-profit organizations City-owned parcels in the fourth Non-Market Land Sale, valued at over $2M.