Missing Middle Sidewalk Incentive Program
Missing Middle Sidewalk Incentive Program
The City is launching the Missing Middle Sidewalk Incentive Program to help reduce costs of creating rowhouses or townhouses in established neighborhoods. Funded by the Housing Accelerator Fund, this program will cover up to 50% of eligible sidewalk upgrade costs for qualifying missing middle housing projects.
Program overview
The Missing Middle Sidewalk Incentive Program helps reduce costs for builders creating rowhouses or townhouses in established neighborhoods. Currently, these projects often must upgrade existing sidewalks to meet modern mobility standards—a requirement that can add costs and time to construction.
To address this, the program will use $4 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund to cover up to 50% of eligible sidewalk upgrade costs for qualifying missing middle housing projects. This initiative supports the Home is Here: The City of Calgary Housing Strategy by investing in infrastructure that enables new housing development.
Program objectives
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Encourage more missing middle housing in established communities.
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Reduce costs for developers and attract new developers.
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Measure how incentives impact housing development.
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Gather insights to improve possible future programs.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible funding, your project must meet these requirements:
- Location: Within an established area which includes those inside the Balanced Growth Boundary (see Map 1 on page 160 of the Municipal Development Plan).
- Type: Rowhouses or townhouses. Comprehensive townhouse sites are not eligible.
- Timing: to qualify, projects must have both:
- a Building Permit approved on or after November 1, 2023
- a Construction Completion Certificate issued on or after August 1, 2025
Upon confirmation of eligibility, funding will be disbursed following the submission and verification of all required documentation.
Funding
The Program reimburses part of the cost of replacing sidewalks for missing middle housing projects in established areas. Eligible costs include removing old sidewalks, preparing the site, and installing new sidewalks. Permit application fees are not covered.
You can receive up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $500 per linear meter of sidewalk replaced. Payment is made in one lump sum after your application is approved and all requirements are met.
The City may provide extra funding if additional sidewalk work is needed due to street design or the project includes affordable housing units.
Funding is distributed on a first come first serve basis for complete applications. Once funding is exhausted, no further support can be provided until additional funding becomes available.
How to apply
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will be accepted retroactively for projects that have an approved Building Permit on or after November 1, 2023, AND a Construction Completion Certificate issued on or after August 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted until funding is fully allocated, with a submission deadline of August 31, 2027 for complete applications, to meet the terms of the Housing Accelerator Fund.
Applicants must complete the application form and submit supporting documentation, including a Construction Completion Certificate and invoices for eligible expenses to establishedareagrowth@calgary.ca
A complete application includes:
- Applicant Information: Name, company (if applicable), contact information.
- Project Details: Project location, length of sidewalk replaced, related Building Permit number.
- Supporting documents: Construction Completion Certificate, and invoices demonstrating actual costs.