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 will lead housing needs assessments with support from local housing providers, non-profit organizations and any other stakeholders that can help provide insight into 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
Municipal endorsement is required. 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 Seniors Community and Social Services, 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
Municipalities and community organizations will be responsible for collecting and providing the following information:
Stats Canada and CMHC data
Data from Statistics Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will be acquired by the Government of Alberta and made available in the online submission tool. This will include:
How to submit
The online tool will be updated once the 2021 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 Seniors, Community and Social Services, 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.