$2M grant for Edmonton affordable housing
Posted August 20, 2026 10:19 am.
Last Updated August 20, 2026 10:15 am.
Over the last 15 years, Edmonton has lost more than 15,000 low-cost or affordable rentals as homes age and are torn down, taken off the rental market.
That is why the city and the federal government have created a new grant.
The $2 million rental protection program allows non-profits to buy and renovate homes with the condition they keep the housing affordable.
“Average age of our buildings across the city, I would say, is about 35 to 40 years old,” said Shanika Donalds, the vice-president of housing and client services at GEF Seniors Housing.
“And so being able to access a grant like this to ensure that those buildings continue to serve the needs of older adults in Edmonton is very important.”
“It’s really important that folks who live in affordable housing feel proud of where they live,” added Bree Claude, the CEO of Civida. “We assume that there are minimum specifications for that, so utilities that work really well, suites that are clean, places that feel safe.”
Mayor Andrew Knack says the loss of low-cost rentals is driving up the need for affordable housing.
The city estimates 18,000 Edmontonians are in extreme housing needs.
“One-in-four renters, one-in-eight people that own are still facing core housing need,” said Knack. “And so there’s a strong demand still for more housing units total.”
“So along with retaining what we have, we need to continue to grow the overall supply.”
Eligible applicants can get up to $20,000 per unit.
