Study shows Edmonton’s affordable housing availability has dropped over the decades

A new study out of the University of Calgary shows that affordable housing availability in Edmonton has fallen nearly 40 per cent in nearly 30 years on a per capita basis.

Those pushing for more low-cost units in the city say it’s a failure of all levels of government.

The U of C study examines affordable housing trends since 1990, pointing to rising median incomes and building materials costs as part of the reasons low-income rentals have been disappearing in Alberta’s two largest cities.

In Edmonton, the Coalition for Housing and Homelessness (ECHH) says it’s a failure of the provincial and federal government to invest. Saying economic options aren’t profitable for the private sector.

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“You’re only going to have that housing for the lowest 20 per cent of income earners if the government subsidizes the cost of building it,” explained Jim Gurnett, ECHH.

Statistics from the City of Edmonton show that in the next five years, nearly 60-thousand households will be in need of affordable options.

Gurnett says with the wait list for units now thousands long, coupled with the inflationary crisis, the need is being amplified and governments need to act now.

“It’s ridiculous to even call it a waiting list, since there isn’t any available. You’re going to be years getting to the top of that list and who can wait years when you can’t afford the housing?”