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Overview
A needs assessment is a critical tool to help communities understand the current state of affordable housing and identify where more support is needed. The Alberta government provides an online housing needs assessment template to:
- standardize the information collected across the province
- help municipalities better understand local needs
- support long-term community planning
- inform Government of Alberta decision-making
Use of the standardized needs assessment template is optional. Submissions will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Action 3.2 under the Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy commits to encourage regional and/or municipal housing needs assessments to inform government and community planning.
Who can submit
Municipalities, housing management bodies, and other organization can initiate needs assessments. However, an official endorsement from the municipality is required. In most cases, municipalities will lead housing needs assessments with support from local housing providers, non-profit organizations and any other stakeholders who can help identify local needs.
Municipalities may:
- conduct the assessment
- endorse a housing management body regulated under the Alberta Housing Act to conduct and submit an assessment on behalf of the municipality
- contract a qualified organization to conduct the assessment on behalf of the municipality
A record of municipal approval must be attached to the needs assessment submission.
Data from municipalities will be supplemented with information from the Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services, Treasury Board and Finance, Statistics Canada, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Specific requirements are detailed below or available in the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment User Guide.
What information to collect
This needs assessment is focused on affordable housing and will not include data on continuing care.
Municipalities and community organizations
The assessment includes the following sections:
- Population and household characteristics, including growth and demographic trends.
- Income and economic context, including household income and labour force indicators.
- Housing market conditions, including rents, vacancy rates and housing policies.
- Core housing need indicators.
- Non-market affordable housing supply, including community housing, seniors housing, rent supplements and supportive housing.
- Projected housing need over the next 5 years by housing type and population.
- Homelessness response information and utilization where available.
Certain data fields are prepopulated using data from:
- Statistics Canada
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
- Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services
- Alberta Treasury Board and Finance
Municipalities are encouraged to supplement prepopulated data with local information, community consultation input and supporting documentation.
How to submit
The online tool will be updated once the 2026 Stats Canada data is available.
Step 1
To get started now, download the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment User Guide (for information only; not for submission).
Step 2
Request access to the online submission tool via the form below.
Step 3
You will be emailed a link to the online needs assessment. Once you specify the municipality(ies) the needs assessment is for, you will be able to download a copy of the template that includes data from Assisted Living and Social Services, Treasury Board and Finance, Statistics Canada, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for your reference as you develop the needs assessment.
Step 4
Collect and prepare the required data in collaboration with community partners as needed. As you collect your data, enter it into the online needs assessment tool. You can leave and return to the form as needed, as well as share the form with others to enter the information.
Step 5
Ensure you have the endorsement of the municipality or municipalities you are submitting the needs assessment for, such as approval from council, council committee or the municipal general manager.
Step 6
Review the information and click submit. You will receive a confirmation notice along with a completed version of the needs assessment for your records. Department staff may be in touch with questions or requests for additional information.